Rationale & Literature Review of Vocational Training Tools & Skill Implementation in Mental Health Populations

Author

Matthew R. OlivierFollow

Date of Defense

12-4-2014

Date of Graduation

12-2014

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Ann Chapleau

Second Advisor

Carla Chase

Third Advisor

Nancy Noah, Mr. Keith Lohman

Keywords

Mental Health, Vocational, Work, Job Training

Abstract

Persons diagnosed with any type of cognitive impairment are oftentimes given labels by society members; they face unjust hardship, and unfounded prejudice because of it, especially in workplace settings. In Kalamazoo, Michigan two different programs - that exclusively work with mentally ill adults – actively seek to counteract these unjust labels by using work-related exposure. The goal is to increase job competence, self-efficacy, safety, and the social participation of the members of these programs. Both programs required supplemental training tools to help their workers’ transition into their new roles. The populations served were 1) patients working for the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital’s Vocational Services Program, and 2) adult volunteers at SHALOM, a community farm and wool-making store heavily operated by the work of intellectually disabled adults. Different training tools (training video, training manual) were created to help aid and address specific needs of each location.

This paper looks to justify the projects’ implementation as part of the worker’s job training and orientation into each program. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of effective job training for these populations, and to further look at the benefits often created from similar, training implements used with people of this unique demographic.

Comments

Thesis Defense Presentation & "Prezi" can be viewed at: http://prezi.com/ni84ffxplnzj/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Recommended Citation

Olivier, Matthew R., "Rationale & Literature Review of Vocational Training Tools & Skill Implementation in Mental Health Populations" (2014). Honors Theses. 2504.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2504

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access