Perspectives on How Social Business Can Engender Work Identity Among People with Mental Illness

ABSTRACT

Social businesses use market strategies to advance the employment and economic situation of people with mental illness who have experienced high levels of social marginalization. They have the potential to achieve these goals by fostering the work identity of the workers within the business, and to themselves acquire an identity as a viable commercial entity that contributes to the prosperity and social fabric of the local community. This study used in-depth case study methods enhanced by comparisons with international social businesses to understand the processes by which social businesses influence work identity. Six business processes that are salient to the development of a strong work identity were identified. Eight propositions for how work identity can be supported by social businesses are offered. The propositions may be useful as a guide for the development of social businesses that are organized and implemented to positively develop work identity, regardless of the nature of the business model.     

Recovery Lessons Learned from Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

ABSTRACT

Over a long career in the public mental health system, the author has seen the progress in the service delivery that has given consumers more independence and ownership of their recovery. Until another breakthrough in brain science improves the outlook for prevention and treatment of brain disorders, the push to improve expectations with supports to manage their recovery needs to continue. The author describes Harbor City Services, Inc, a market-based social enterprise that creates jobs offering security against losing a job because of reappearing symptoms, including some jobs with the potential for growth beyond entry level. The growth of this business over 25 years shows the highs and lows of moving from public funding and charity to a self-supporting business. The author encourages the use of business strategies to improve the vocational opportunities that help sustain recovery and offers tips on employment and business.     

The Power of Peer Support: The Development of the Empowerment Center

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the events and influences that led to the author’s contribution to the development of a mental health consumer-run organization, The Empowerment Center in Mount Vernon, NY. The author traces some events that influenced him personally and the evolution of the Empowerment Center from an organization that provided advocacy services (to those with mental health problems who were hospitalized) and community-based support services to people in mental health recovery, to an organization focusing on economic empowerment and economic development for the community of those in recovery. The transition of the Empowerment Center into an organization focused on economic empowerment underscores the importance of economic independence for people in recovery and the consumer-run organizations that support them. The Empowerment Center endeavors to demonstrate that mental health consumer-survivors can take control of their economic health as well as their physical and mental health.     

Social firms: Building cross-sectoral partnerships to create employment opportunity and supportive workplaces for people with mental illness

A major barrier to employment for people with mental illness is limited access to supportive and non-discriminatory workplaces. Social firms are businesses committed to employing up to 50% of people with a disability or other disadvantage and to providing supportive work environments that benefit workers. Little research has been conducted to understand the features and social processes that support the vocational experiences of employees with mental health issues in social firms. Objective: This ethnographic study sought to explore the experiences of nine employees at one Australian social firm. Participants: Nine employees of a social firm, with and without mental illness. Methods: Study methods used included participant observation, interviewing and document analysis. Results and conclusions: The study highlights the complexity of running a socially-invested business, and the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships to support their operational success. Natural workplace supports, adequate training and support infrastructure and enabling participation in the business, were identified as important to creating a supportive workplace. Partnerships within the workplace and in support of the workplace are discussed. Future growth and development of partnerships are recommended to support the establishment of social firms.     

A Preliminary Understanding of Search Words used by Children,Teenagers and Young Adults in Seeking Information about Depression and Anxiety Online

Abstract

There is a dearth of research related to mental health search word literacy for under 25's. The knowledge of a young person's mental health information search practices is piecemeal, derived from general search literacy studies. A young person’s access to mental health information online is highly due to the level of stigma and poor mental health literacy surrounding depression and anxiety. This study explored what search words young people aged 5–26 (N?=?630) used to identify information and/or help for depression and anxiety. The research hypothesis was supported that those under age 13 would have a more limited use of “disorder” phrases (compared to “thoughts/feeling” phrases) in their search for mental health information related to their symptoms. All age and gender groups were as likely to use thoughts/feelings terms, however, those over 13?years were almost three times more likely to combine their thoughts/feelings terms with disorder terms, compared to those less than 13?years. Results give indication that search engine optimization by expert mental health sources should take into account feeling-based vocabulary used by specific age and gender groups, in order to guide these young people to authoritative mental health information.     

Implementation of a Mental Health Task Force in a collegiate-based emergency medical services organization

Abstract

Objective: A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was implemented in 2016 by a collegiate-based emergency medical services (CBEMS) organization to (1) improve mental health emergency response and to (2) address concerns for the mental health of CBEMS providers. Participants: Skidmore College EMS is a Basic Life Support First Response service staffed by volunteer undergraduate students. Methods: In coordination with faculty and staff, students in the MHTF developed trainings, peer support structures, community events, policies, and informational resources. Results: Sixteen students joined the MHTF within 1 year. Over 35 Skidmore College EMS members received training on mental health emergency response, peer-support, and self-care. Debriefing programs, mindfulness-based events, shift-length limitations, and access to informational resources promoted the mental health of Skidmore College EMS members. Conclusions: Implementing an MHTF is an innovative, student-led approach to coupling education on emergency response with programming that supports the mental health of CBEMS providers.     

An Evaluation of Mental Health Services for the Culturally Diverse

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project was to examine the needs of multicultural populations in the mental health system, and see how these needs get addressed in current policies. As a social worker in the mental health system, I wanted to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of service providers in their ability to meet the needs of diverse populations. In doing this research, I hoped to make a space for people whose families have had to deal with mental health services, and explore the experiences of those who have not had the opportunity to discuss them. In addition, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to a body of increased knowledge on how the mental health system treats people who belong to a cultural minority.     

Social Enterprise in Mental Health: An Overview

ABSTRACT

This article provides an overview of the models and concepts of social enterprise utilized for and by people with serious mental illness histories. Although social enterprise in mental health is not new, the naming of it as social enterprise and the attention these efforts have garnered is new. This article will provide a brief history of social enterprise in formal social services; review some conceptual issues and differences between social enterprise in Europe and North America—the two major current centers of its activity; and conclude with some observations of the ways in which mental health social enterprises are developing.     

Chapter 12: Wells Fargo's Employee Assistance Consulting Model

Abstract

Wells Fargo and Company's Employee Assistance Consulting (EAC) is an established and successful internal corporate-based EAP that delivers organizationally congruent services to a diversified financial services company with 80+ businesses and over 146,000 team members. While some elements of traditional EAPs are evident in the services provided by this entity, EAC also provides highly specialized and customized consultations to its corporate partners, business group customers and employees. Using a highly integrated service model that aligns closely with the specific strategy and operations of each Wells Fargo business, EAC is an invited guest at many of the company's most influential tables. EAC collaboratively partners with senior and line management, Human Resources, the Employment Law Department, Disability Management (called WorkAbility at Wells Fargo) and Risk Management, Corporate Benefits, Corporate Security, Learning and Development, and others to provide leadership and organizational influence on such wide ranging issues as threat assessment and management, business incident management, workplace trauma, health and productivity, and organizational and employee effectiveness. This article describes proven methods and strategies for maximizing organizational influence and positioning EAP consultants as effective business partners.     

Business IN Society: The Social Contract Revisited

Abstract

Perhaps no theoretical perspective better supports evolving expectations of corporate social responsibility than social contract theory. Centuries old, this dominant theory has proven to be highly influential in Western contexts, as it encompasses both institutional and moral consideration. The relationship between business and society has become increasingly significant in recent years as businesses must respond to rapid global change, pressing externalities, and serious societal concerns, many of which cannot be adequately attended to by any party alone. This paper offers an evolutionary perspective of the social contract in light of modern day realities and shifting societal expectations. Implications are derived from both moral and pragmatic arguments to suggest that the implied social contract is meaningfully evolving in new directions both in terms of theory and practice, most particularly regarding business purpose, leadership, and social responsibility.     

A Commentary on the Triadic Theory of Influence as a Guide for Adapting HIV Prevention Programs for New Contexts and Populations

Summary

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the Collaborative HIV Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Project-South Africa (CHAMPSA) began and to present some of the results from this South African version of CHAMP. This paper informs readers of a number of lessons about international program translation. The first important lesson is that there are universal principles of health behavior change that seem to be useful across cultures. The implementation of these principles, however, needs to be informed by an in-depth understanding of local cultural contexts. The second important lesson is that it is possible to undertake large-scale, scientifically sophisticated community-based prevention research in developing countries through international collaborative research projects. It is the authors' hope that this mixture of science, service, and business will inspire other public health, community mental health, research, and business professionals to develop international prevention interventions that can be shown to be effective, and disseminated on a wide scale.     

Mental Health Among College Students: Do Those Who Need Services Know About and Use Them?

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine connections between university students' mental health and their knowledge and use of campus mental health services. Participants and Methods: In March 2001, a sample of undergraduate students (N = 266) completed a Web-based questionnaire, providing information related to their mental health, knowledge of mental health services, and use of those services. Results: Students who were mentally distressed were more likely to know about and use services; however, some students who reported to be mentally distressed either did not know about services or knew about services but did not use them. Living off campus, identifying as male, and having fewer years in college were related to less knowledge of campus mental health services. In addition, female sex and number of years in college were predictive of higher service use. Conclusions: With the high prevalence rates and severity of mental health problems, university mental health providers must continue to make strategic efforts to disseminate knowledge about mental health services to all students.     

Are we doing enough? Stigma,discrimination and human rights violations of people living with schizophrenia in India: Implications for social work practice

ABSTRACT

In India, the human rights of people living with mental illness (PLMI) are poorly articulated and hence less researched. Using in-depth and focus group interviews, this study explores multiple perspectives on stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations of people living with schizophrenia (PLS) within their web of relationships in the city of Mumbai, India. Thematic analysis shows that abusive experiences at home, stigma associated with mental health services and barriers to meaningful employment contribute to human rights violations. Implications for strengthening the role of mental health professionals including social workers to promote, protect and actualize the rights of PLS are stressed.     

A longitudinal qualitative evaluation of an economic and social empowerment intervention to reduce girls’ vulnerability to HIV in rural Mozambique

PurposeAn intervention including business training and health education was implemented in Mozambique, where girls are at elevated risk for acquiring HIV. As part of a mixed-methods evaluation, we describe perceived effects of the intervention on girls’ sexual behavior and school attendance.MethodsWe conducted 49 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with girl intervention participants (ages 13–19), 24 IDIs with heads of girls’ households, 36 IDIs with influential males identified by girls, and 12 focus group discussions with community members after the intervention ended and one year later.ResultsInformants said the primary intervention benefit was realized when girls had money to stay in or return to school and/or to buy necessities for themselves and their households—reducing their need for transactional or intergenerational sex. However, some girls did not make a profit and some businesses were not sustainable. Sometimes the intervention appeared to be implemented in a way to reinforce inequitable gender norms resulting in some girls feeling shame when they reengaged in risky sex after their businesses failed.ConclusionsEarning money enabled girls to potentially reduce their vulnerability to HIV. We offer recommendations for future multi-sector interventions, including the need to address potential harms in programs serving vulnerable girls.     

Undergraduate students survey their peers on mental health: Perspectives and strategies for improving college counseling center outreach

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine student perspectives about college mental health including the primary mental health issues affecting students, common college student stressors, student awareness of campus mental health resources, and mental health topics students want more information about. Participants: Participants were 822 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a private university. The study was conducted during September 2016. Methods: As part of a public health course in program planning, undergraduate students surveyed their peers about their experience with mental health and mental health resources. Results: Stress was perceived as the largest mental health issue. Students most wanted more information about school/work/life balance followed by stress management. Electronic newsletters, social media, and on-campus seminars were the top strategies that students suggested as ways to reach them. Conclusions: The results provide student perspectives on mental health that may be useful in developing effective outreach efforts.     

Legal capacity and the mental health social worker role: an international comparison

ABSTRACT

New capacity laws have been introduced to many jurisdictions over the last decade. These laws have substantially changed the way in which mental health social workers and other professionals approach decisions about, and for, clients. Most notably, there is now an expectation that mental health social workers engage more in supported decision-making to prevent the need for substitute decision-making. This article describes the legal and policy drivers that have led to these changes in practice, with a particular emphasis on the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD) and the importance of recovery approaches in mental health services. It then uses selected literature to explore the efficacy of the laws and decision-making in this area. The second part of the article identifies the role that mental health social workers can play in supporting legal capacity, drawing from the authors’ experience and knowledge of mental health social work and law in four jurisdictions: Victoria, Australia; Ontario, Canada; England and Wales; and Northern Ireland. It is concluded that mental health and other social workers need to refine skills, knowledge and values to accommodate this paradigm shift in law, policy and practice.     

Implementing Web-Based Learning: Evaluation Results from a Mental Health Course

SUMMARY

This paper reports on the evaluation results of a web-enhanced mental health course. The instructional design of the course was based on the principles of constructivist and collaborative learning environments. Students strongly supported the use of web-based learning in this course and found that the online environment enhanced their learning. The benefits and disadvantages of web-based learning and the implications for future course development are discussed. Issues in implementing web-based learning in social work education are also identified.     

The university as developmental space – a case for thinking differently?

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a sizeable increase in young people approaching University Counselling and Well-being Services for support in managing mental health difficulties with one research project suggesting an increase of demand upwards of 33%. Support is necessarily often targeted at those who present most ‘at risk’, but this ignores the potential positive impact that universities can have on promoting mental health for future generations, not least given that nearly half of all young people in the UK participate in Higher Education. Drawing on a case study of one UK undergraduate student, this paper will explore themes common to university students such as difficulties in transitioning from home, defensive-bonding in relationships and low self-esteem. The paper argues the need for universities and colleges to provide ongoing support for students who are ‘just about managing’ in order to enable them to flourish, both emotionally and academically.     

Reflective practice in a process for the re-approval of ASWs: An exploration of some inevitable resistance

In this article a mental health trainer and a group facilitator explore the background to developing a new protocol to manage the re-approval of mental health social workers in an inner London borough. The new procedure involved social workers attending a series of small group sessions in which they were invited to present and reflect on their work with clients. The dynamics of these sessions and particularly some of the transferential material between group members and facilitator are explored here. The significance for mental health social work, post-qualifying learning and the possibilities of reflective practice is considered.