Overcoming Unemployment And Mental Illness

CBS Evening News: "Supported Employment" Helps Mentally Ill Patients Find, And Keep, Jobs In Rough Economic Times

(CBS)  While unemployment for the overall population is running at 6.7 percent, for people coping with psychiatric difficulties, it reaches 90 percent. For those struggling with both, there's a special program that not only dramatically lowers unemployment, but also fosters self-respect, reports CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.

Steve Cromer really loves going to work.

"It's hard to explain psychologically," Cromer says. "I feel like I'm on cloud nine all the time."

Cromer's been diagnosed with a variety of mental illnesses, and at 36, this is the first job he's ever been able to hold for more than a couple of months, LaPook reports.

He's succeeding now because of a program called "supported employment," meaning that an entire team of specialists is behind him, and nurturing every aspect of his success.

"There are seven basic principles to supported employment," says Nicole Clevenger, who teaches those principles to groups of mentally ill people hoping to find work.

She's not only an advocate, she's a client, LaPook reports. And if she had to decide which is worse, coping with mental illness or struggling to find work…

"Being unemployed, without a doubt," she says.

Thirty-one and bi-polar, Clevenger is a single mother of two who fled job after job because of anxiety and panic attacks.

"I felt like a failure," she says. "I was ashamed."

Advocates of supported employment say almost half the mentally ill who want to work could be working, under the right conditions - a psychiatrist, an understanding boss and a job coach who, in Clevenger's case, is a lifeline when anxiety strikes.

"She's willing to walk me through, she'll all but hold by hand if I need her to," Clevenger says.

Supported employment turned her life around, she says.

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Click here to read more about the Supported Employment program

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"Working has helped me further my recovery more than any other single thing I've ever done," Clevenger says. "Including medication."

The program costs about $3,000 per patient for the first year only - and then begins to pay for itself. But there are no federal funds for it, LaPook reports, and only about a dozen states willing to pay. For people like Steve Cromer, who are unemployed, mentally ill and approaching middle-age, supported employment also provides relief for their families. In Cromer's case, it's a huge weight off his mother's shoulders.

"It's just very upsetting, it kind of tears you up inside to know, you know, what's going to happen to him when we're not here to help him," says Carol Cromer.

But with support, Cromer is on his way to helping himself.

"I just want you to be proud of me," Steve tells his mom.

"Well I am," Carol says.

[Jasonweather1980]

In response to nobdysfool comment about unemployment and mental illness being a punishment for sin, I know countless innocent people who are unemployed and are struggling with mental stress because of that. How dare you cast judgement on them. Doesn't the Christian doctrine say "judge not lest you be judged"? Therefore by casting judgement on people without knowing their full circumstances you are playing the role of G-d which I think is wrong and also goes against Christianity. Stop making stupid statements like this. People are obligated by Christianity to help others and if they do not and say it is divine punishment they are being evil. That is how Sodom and Gomorrah got destroyed!!!!

[splstphn]

As being a mental health patient myself, I have seen both sides of the fence. You people "Glamourise" your so called "Mental Health Services". However, I have witnessed the "Mentally Challenged" being taken advantage of by "Mental Health Care Workers and Supervisors". This side of the fence doesn''t get the exsposure it needs. It''s happening all across the country. The "Mentally Challenged" are being used and oppressed by the health care employees and supervisors. If you think that I am wrong...then by all means call for an investigation, and you will see the light.

[nelsonwburns]

Thank you for highlighting employment services for people with chronic mental illness. Your segment covered services provided by Coleman Professional Services; a nonprofit serving five counties in northeast Ohio. Employment is one of other key services that help provide recovery of chronic mental illness. We appreciate your invovlement.
Nelson Burns, CEO

[imaghast]

Don''t waste your time with the VA. You will be counseled by two pompous, pretentious, self-serving know-it-alls who will consult with each other and then take 45 minutes to explain to you why they can''t help you. They were given their jobs to get them off unemployment in the first place.

[phonegirl300]

Most unemployed mentally ill people don''t have $3000.00.

[vocrehab]

If you are a veteran with a psychosis diagnosis then each of the 162 VA hosptials nation wide offers a Supported Employment program free of charge.

[vocrehab]

As former state vocational rehabilitation counselor I just wanted to lete everyone know that each state has a state vocational rehabilitation agency and each one offers a supported employment program. I urge everyone to research this, it''s free service paid for with federal and state funds.

[nobdysfool]

I have proved myself to Jesus byb attending chirch regularly and contributing to the collection basket.

Posted by lady_organs at 01:20 PM : Jan 05, 2009
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I surely hope you are kidding, because this is not how you prove yourself to Jesus. How sad to know there are people like you that believe this is how you get to "heaven".

[spider20201]

I have a family member that is going through this type of problem. Can you point me in the right direction for more help.

[spider20201]

I have a family member that is going through this type of problem. Can you point me in the right direction for more help.