Loyalty
and Dependability - Qualities employers often seek
The Department of Mental Health has begun an initiative
with the Commonwealth's Division of Employment and Training to promote
the employment of people with mental illness. The availability of
a federal tax credit for the employment of each person, and an expedited
application process for the credit are central features of the initiative.
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Next steps.
".the accelerating rate of scientific discovery
is providing powerful insight into the causes of serious mental
illness that are improving diagnosis and treatment.[these]
scientific advances will reverse this trivialization of mental
illness as the public and policy makers appreciate that these
disorders are as "real" as cancer and are amenable to rational
treatment."
Joseph T. Coyle and Eben S. Draper
"Neuroscience and Psychiatric Treatment in the next century",
Neuroscience, Neurology and Health
World Health Organization, Geneva, 1997
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 Efforts
are now underway to develop forums on the employability of people
with mental illness as part of a statewide outreach to employers.
People with mental illness are among the most loyal, productive
and responsible workers in the workforce today.
The ambitious goals and rapid progress of neuroscience and the development of effective treatments for mental illness mean there will be an avalanche of new information in the years ahead. If we are to eliminate the stigma of mental illness through education, this information must be delivered to the public arena in a way which is timely, understandable, interesting, and effective.
We need, as well, to educate, advise, and support certain segments of our society about mental health and related issues, which are of particular concern to them. For example, the underlying causes and factors for the violence, which has erupted in our schoolyards and neighborhoods. Some goals and activities under consideration include:
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Additional outreach through legislative and
public policy forums on a variety of subjects including suicide
and other acts of violence by kids and adolescents; understanding
mental illness, treatment models, and related issues. |
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Community outreach through the development
of a newsletter, web site and statewide speakers bureau of mental
health consumers, family members, or providers who are willing
to share their stories and experiences to educate others about
mental illness and the effectiveness of treatment. . Development
of a curriculum or material to teach youngsters about mental
illness and help them to view it as an illness, and not a character
flaw. |
About MAMH
The Massachusetts Association for Mental
Health, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, citizens based organization
established in 1913 for advocacy and educational purposes.
It is a tax exempt Section 501 (c) (3) organization. Since 1913, MAMH has directed its activities towards the successful development of community based housing, education, health care, and mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
MAMH Mission
To promote and advance community based housing, education, health care, employment and treatment for children, adolescents and adults with mental illnesses or emotional disorders. To increase knowledge about mental illnesses and the effectiveness of treatment through educational outreach to the public at large or to specific segments, and to promote healthy life styles and behavior through preventative services and programs directed at children and adolescents.
For more information about Changing
Minds, please call (617) 742-7452 or write to:
Changing Minds
c/o MAMH
130 Bowdoin Street, Ste 309
Boston, MA 02108 |
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