This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlights the work of the Transitions Clinic Network, a national network of clinics that serves previously incarcerated individuals with chronic health conditions. The network is staffed by community health workers who have their own incarceration histories. The model has been adopted in 10 cities, and the post contains a link to learn more about the program.

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services profiles a program in New Orleans called Bridge/Grace House. Bridge/Grace House offers comprehensive long-term residential treatment for men and women who suffer from substance use disorders. Part of the program provides vocational counseling and workforce services designed to ensure lasting recovery and success after treatment; 96% of program participants who complete their full treatment leave the program employed. Additional links are provided in the post to learn more.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by fear of “social or performance situations involving exposure to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny.” Fearing embarrassment or humiliation, individuals with social anxiety disorder may avoid exposure to new people or situations. Examining measures of social anxiety disorders and employment barriers among urban vocational rehabilitation participants, researchers found that these individuals had higher rates of self-reported barriers to employment, including lacking interview skills, training, work experience, and education. They were also more likely to say they lacked skills associated with employment in the hospitality, service, and health care environments and thus expressed less interest in those jobs. Researchers note that access to mental health services could help job seekers with social anxiety disorder overcome their fears and consider jobs they might not otherwise.

This article attempts to answer whether moving into poor quality employment (i.e., low security, low wages, low autonomy) is better for one’s physical and mental health than staying unemployed. Researchers examined employment outcomes and health assessments of about 1,500 English adults. While physical health indicators improved regardless of the quality of work obtained, researchers identified worse mental health indicators (chronic stress-related biomarkers) among those who moved into poor quality work than those who stayed unemployed. Those who moved into higher quality work experienced better health outcomes overall, indicating the importance of considering job quality when helping individuals obtain employment.

This research explores how experiences of discrimination in mental health/substance abuse services may contribute to the greater level of unmet mental health needs among racial/ethnic minorities. The study examined the California Quality of Life Survey responses from adults who indicated they used mental health or substance abuse services in the previous year. Latinos were twice as likely to report discrimination than White patients, and those who were uninsured and who had a diagnosed mental health disorder also faced higher rates of discrimination. Perceived discrimination was linked to finding treatment “not helpful” and leaving treatment early. The authors conclude that “improving the treatment experiences of vulnerable populations in mental health and substance abuse services may be a critical step in reducing mental health disparities, particularly for uninsured and racial/ethnic minority patients.”

Researchers interviewed unemployed individuals with mental health problems about their perspectives on seeking mental health services. They spoke of barriers, such as stigma, discrimination, and ineffective mental health services, that prevent them from accessing mental health services. They also recognized facilitators for accessing services, such as society’s growing acceptance of using mental health services and encouragement from employment agency staff.

This one-page fact sheet from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guides users in identifying treatment services options in their community, whether they have health insurance or not. It lists the five signs of quality treatment and how users should evaluate each in a provider: accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, families, and supports. Practitioners may also be interested in SAMHSA’s brochure Should You Talk to Someone About a Drug, Alcohol, or Mental Health Problem? which can be ordered for free, and their Toolkit for National Prevention Week 2018 with information about planning and hosting a mental health awareness event.

This journal article from the journal Psychiatric Services describes a study which tested the hypothesis that social anxiety disorder impedes self-sufficiency in women receiving welfare by hindering their employment efforts. Study results showed an association between social anxiety disorder and less time worked among mothers on welfare. Other barriers that posed a significant concern for women in this economic group include poor physical health of mothers and their children, inadequate transportation, low educational attainment, and lack of literacy.

This journal article from the journal Psychiatric Services describes a study that identified Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients who use mental health services, compared them with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and estimated the number of TANF recipients who could qualify for SSI. Results found that 13 percent of TANF beneficiaries and 32 percent of SSI beneficiaries with Medicaid claims had a mental disorder. The study concluded that the proportion of TANF recipients using mental health services was lower than those identified through surveys as having a mental disorder, most likely because some TANF recipients had undiagnosed and untreated mental disorders.

May is national Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 13-19 was National Prevention Week (NPW) 2018 when social service agencies raise awareness about the importance of positive mental health and substance use prevention. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a webpage entitled "Toolkit for Planning Your Event" which includes links to a planning toolkit for events during NPW, as well as a customizable fact sheet and promotional videos. Visitors to the webpage are also offered an opportunity to register their events on the Community Events page to share their NPW activities.