Supporting the Young Adult Peer Support Workforce: Insights from a Survey Study
This webinar will present findings from a survey study examining the workplace experiences of Young Adult Peer Support Workers (YPSWs) across the United States. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data, we will explore key domains including job satisfaction, supervision, intergenerational workplace climate, and experiences of stigma. We will also highlight important differences by certification […]
More Than Just Age: Understanding Stigma and Identity Among Older Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities
Robert Walker, MS, CPS, COAPS serves with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Office of Recovery and Empowerment, where he advances peer support for older adults, the Deaf community, and the statewide peer workforce. He helped develop the Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) initiative in Massachusetts and nationally and has led programs such as […]
Rationale for and Design of an Exercise Program to Improve Physical Function in Older Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions
This presentation will discuss physical function in older adults with serious mental health conditions as well as the rationale for and preliminary design of an exercise program for this population. Dr. Julia Browne is the Research Director of the Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis (WRAP) Program at Boston Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of […]
The Value of Peer Support Specialists on IPS Employment Teams
Lyn Legere, MS, CPS has more than 25 years of experience in the mental health field and has been deeply involved in advancing recovery-oriented and peer-led services. She is a Senior Training Associate at Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, where she develops and delivers training in psychiatric rehabilitation, recovery, and peer support. Crystal Page […]
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individual Placement and Support Services for Young Adults
Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based model designed to help individuals with mental health conditions secure and maintain competitive employment. Young adults are a particularly vulnerable group in need of these services. The COVID-19 pandemic led many public institutions to curtail face-to-contacts, which affected IPS service delivery. This webinar describes a qualitative descriptive […]
People Living with Serious Mental Health Conditions in Nursing Homes
The federal Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) program was enacted in the 1980s amid concerns surrounding the quality of nursing home care. This program is meant to serve as a tool to assist with level of care determinations for nursing home applicants with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) and was intended to limit the […]
Critical Elements of Using Virtual Reality Job Interviewing in IPS Supported Employment
In 2020 researchers from the University of Michigan School of Social Work interviewed IPS staff across several Illinois communities who had used Virtual Reality-Job Interviewing Training (VR-JIT) in their work with clients receiving IPS. This presentation will describe the feasibility of using VR-JIT as an additional “tool” in IPS, particularly with clients who were seeking […]
Compassion, Resilience, and Self-Care for Caregivers and Staff Supporting Older Adults Living with Mental Health Challenges
Dr. Laura Leone is a Lead Consultant for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing since 2018 and has worked in the behavioral and integrated health field for over 25 years, providing organizational leadership and direct services for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, in addition to presenting, publishing, training, and consulting nationally.
The Importance of Engaged Career Development with Young Adults in Early Psychosis Programs
Dr. Shannon Blajeski, PhD, MSW, is a mental health intervention researcher who is interested in improving career and income pathways for young adults with early psychosis to prevent the often intractable poverty associated with long-term dependence on disability benefits.
Key Stakeholder Perspectives on the Use of Research About Supported Employment for a Variety of Patients with Mental Illness
This webinar discusses stakeholder responses to evidence on supported employment, emphasizing the importance of tailoring programs to individual needs which are often overlooked in current initiatives. Qualitative data were collected from three stakeholder groups — people with lived experience of mental health challenges, community health advocates, and state health policy makers. Results highlight the necessity […]