Mental Health Management for Job Seekers with a Mental Illness:

1. Mental Health Management for Job Seekers with a Mental Illness: Health Optimisation Program for Employment (HOPE)

2. Outline • Challenges faced by job seekers with mental illness • Self Efficacy • What does it mean for someone looking for work/currently working? • What does it mean for someone living with a mental illness? • What factors influence self efficacy? • Implications for LEAP project/HOPE program

3. Challenges faced by job seekers with mental illness • Episodic/dynamic nature of mental illness • Stigma/fear of stigma • Concerns around disclosure • Symptoms/side effects of medication may impact energy levels, concentration, memory, motivation, etc…

4. Self Efficacy • “belief that one is capable of performing in a certain manner to attain certain goals” (Ormrod, 2006) • “belief that one’s actions have an effect on the environment”

5. Self Efficacy • What does it mean? • Self efficacy vs. self esteem • Self efficacy vs. confidence

6. Consider… • What does self efficacy mean for someone looking for work/currently working? • What does it mean for someone living with a mental illness?

7. What influences self efficacy? • Mastery experience • Modeling • Social Influence • Physiological Factors (Bandura, 1977)

8. Clinical Mental Health Services Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Service (PDRS) Deliver Health Optimisation Program for Employment (HOPE) LEAP Partnerships LEAP Partnerships Enhance service integration Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) Disability Employment Services Provide wrap-around support for job seekers with a mental illness

9. 1st LEAP Partnerships Established

10. LEAP Partnerships continued…

11. LEAP Project • Time frame: September 2009 – June 2012 • Funded by Department Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

12. Health Optimisation Program for Employment (HOPE) • A ten-session group-based program for job seekers with mental illness • Helps participants gain a better understanding of their health, stressors, and effective coping strategies in everyday life and the workplace • Explores how the participant can work with the supports available to manage their health and achieve their goals • HOPE is based on an evidence-based program, Collaborative Therapies (developed by Frameworks for Health)

13. Frameworks for Health • Frameworks for Health is dedicated to translating “real world” health research into everyday clinical practice through program development, research and implementation. • Frameworks for Health works with organisations to implement service delivery models of care and stand alone programs based on the Health Optimisation approach. • Manager - Monica Gilbert (03) 9288 2293 or monica.gilbert2@svhm.org.au

14. Frameworks for Health Programs • Framework for Service Delivery • Entire Service Delivery Model incorporating comprehensive assessment, treatment pathways and best practice psychosocial programs • Optimal Health Program • Mental Health Maintenance • Health- Promoting Parenting • Managing Mental Health and Substance Use • HOPE: Program for Jobseekers with a Mental Illness • MAPS: Program for Bipolar Disorder • Supporting Self and Others

15. Aims of HOPE Program • To provide information and develop strategies for attaining and maintaining optimal health • To prepare and support job seekers with a mental illness to access, gain and maintain employment • To facilitate communication between job seekers with a mental illness and support persons

16. HOPE Programsession outline

17. Health Optimisation Rationale • Knowledge of stress and vulnerability and its personal impact gives an individual the motivation and ability to develop and implement coping strategies. • It also increases individual’s understanding of the effects of stress and the impact it may have on their physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing. • Through knowledge and understanding, individuals are better able to effectively manage their day-to-day lives, increasing their sense of control as well as creating an opportunity for avenues of choice. (Gilbert, Ho & Castle, Frameworks for Health)

18. HOPE Program Structure • SoFA coordinates the HOPE programs • Representatives from the partnership become HOPE facilitators by attending training by Frameworks for Health • A peer educator co-facilitates HOPE • Ongoing support is available for HOPE facilitators

19. Evaluation • General Self Efficacy Scale • 10 item scale • Rate from 1 to 4 “how true the statement has been for you during the past week” • Ex. “I can always manage to solve difficult problems if I try hard enough” • Additional 8 items have been included to assess work-related and health-related self-efficacy

20. 1. Mastery experience • Goal setting: SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, within a timeframe • Experience of the program – getting there, participating, gaining a certificate

21. 2. Modeling • Mental Health Peer Educators are involved in all aspects of project • Advisory Group • Partnership meetings • HOPE program delivery • Peer Educators act as conduit for communication between HOPE participants and LEAP partnerships • Peer Educators are supervised, mentored and supported by SoFA

22. 3. Social influence • Peer support within the group • HOPE encourages connectedness with supports in the community

23. 4. Physiological Factors • Understanding experience of stress as a physiological response • Awareness of triggers and early warning signs that may indicate slipping into “sub-optimal health” • Using HOPE journal to write down action plans, monitor health, organise appointments, etc.

24. Contact Details Caitlin McDowell LEAP Project Coordinator Social Firms Australia Loft 10, 49 Smith Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 Ph) 9445 0373 M) 0403 616 247 caitlin@socialfirms.org.au www.socialfirms.org.au