Transforming Employment Outcomes for People with Mental Illness

June 12, 2009

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Employment is one of the leading priorities voiced by mental health consumers when asked about their life goals and desires. Yet national employment rates for people with mental disabilities run as low as 15%. Washington State has taken on employment as a primary goal for improvement for individuals with mental illness, acknowledging that mental health consumers succeed when placed in jobs of their choice and provided ongoing support.

One of the most exciting projects to come out of Washington is the Disability Navigator Project, a collaborative partnership between Washington Service Corp and the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, which will use VISTA members to help increase capacity, create system change and provide outreach support to facilitate employment opportunities for people with disabilities in local communities.

An overview of the Disability Navigator Project and other current work taking place in the State to help improve employment outcomes for people with mental illness is provided in a report called “Transformation Efforts Related to Employment of Individuals with Mental Illness in Washington State.” Prepared by Dr. Ron Jemelka, Director of the Mental Health Transformation Project, and Toby Olson, Executive Secretary of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, the report was submitted in May 2009 to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

Read full report: Transformation Efforts Related to the Employment of Individuals with Mental Illness in Washington State

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