“The mission of the Mental Health Division is to promote recovery and safety.”
Employment Initiative
The Washington State Mental Health Division (MHD) has contracted with the Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training (WIMIRT) to recommend employment initiatives to significantly increase the employment among people served in the public mental health system.
In order to inform those recommendations WIMIRT surveyed many stakeholders over several months on their beliefs and understanding of employment services and needs of people with a mental illness. WIMIRT and the MHD convened a group of key stakeholders to advise them on how best to further engage the community on the issue of employment.
On July 16th 2007, a one-day educational forum entitled, The Role of Employment in Recovery: Improving Supports and Outcomes for Consumers in Washington brought together 180 professionals, consumers, and members of the community. The forum featured presentations by several national speakers and consumers on topics including successful employment programs, employment financing and structural policy, youth in transition, and personal employment experiences. On July 17th 2007, a 50-person Strategic Planning Group representing an array of interested parties met to begin the process of providing for focused input to WIMIRT on recommendations for improvements. Presentations from the conference and Strategic Planning Group meeting are available below.
WIMIRT’s final report to the MHD will draw from information from the forum, information gathered on successful programs in Washington State and other states and through the advice and input of the Strategic Planning Group.
*NEW VIDEO!*
I
Want To Be tells the inspiring stories of three very different individuals
who have prospered in spite of living with a serious mental illness. The value
of meaningful work and supportive employers is highlighted throughout the
film. I Want To Be will inspire those who are living with a mental illness
to know they can succeed, employers to appreciate that hiring people with
a mental illness is good for business and professionals in the mental health
and vocational rehabilitation fields that their partnership with people striving
to make a better life can pay dividends. An Introduction to the Film by Governor
Christine Gregoire establishes the commitment of the State of Washington to
become a leader in the employment of individuals living with a mental illness
and that their success benefits us all. I Want To Be was developed as part
of the DSHS/Mental Health Division’s Systems Transformation Initiative,
that included a special Employment Initiative that examined ways to dramatically
improve employment among people living with mental illness. The film project
was a joint effort by the Mental Health Division, Washington Institute on
Mental Health Research and Training, the University of Washington/Harborview
Medical Center and the film’s production company, Hero Labs with funding
support from SAMHSA.
Contact Information:
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For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Mental Health Services, go to the DSHS Contact Information Web page. Mental Health Related Questions Contact:
