Findings provide a landscape of promise to others with severe psychiatric conditions while serving to re-shape typical pessimistic attitudes held by mental health professionals on the work potential of those with this severe condition. Personal Assistant Services is a little used service modality for people with psychiatric disabilities and most state administrators typically confuse it with rehabilitation services. Consumers of mental health services however, are able to articulate this model of services for themselves. Consumers surveyed expressed a need for PAS to help them with transportation, emotional support, and with negotiating social service agencies. While such help is highly valued, the extent of anticipated need for these services is modest.
Recovery is a slow path that often plateaus after gains and setbacks.
Recovery is facilitated through hope, experiences that produce trust in oneself and others, supports, and personal resiliency. Through recovery, desires are ignited for a satisfying life that includes family ties, emotional relationships, work, and higher standards of living. Combining supported education and supported employment had a positive impact on consumer vocational, psycho-social, and service utilization outcomes which were also enhanced by the Recovery seminar. Outcome employment rate for participants is being presently analyzed. A national survey showed that many have worries about using the Social Security Work Incentives.