Vocational Rehab
Vocational Rehabilitation
Debi S Hagood (Bowman)
Grand Canyon University: PSY 623
September 19, 2018
Vocational Rehabilitation
If an individual suffers from a mental illness, he or she may seek help from a psychologist. The psychologist may assist this individual with mental health counseling. More specifically, according to the American Psychological Association (2018), “Professional psychologists have the professional training and clinical skills to help people learn to cope more effectively with life issues and mental health problems” (para. 1). This may involve counseling sessions over a period. A psychologist may also cover a wide variety of mental health issues from mild depression to schizophrenia. The goal of a psychologist, as per the American Psychological Association (2018) is to, “help people learn to cope with stressful situations, overcome addictions, manage their chronic illnesses and break past the barriers that keep them from reaching their goals” (What they do, para. 1). However, if an individual with a mental illness wishes to join the workforce, this may require a more specialized counselor. These are often referred to as, vocational rehabilitation clinicians. Both work with individuals who may suffer from mental illness, but the vocational rehabilitation clinician will specifically help with the career aspect of therapy, including preparing the individual for entering or reentering the workforce.
Vocational rehabilitation, according to Escorpizo, Reneman, Ekholm, Fritz, Krupa, Maroun, Guzman, Suzuki, Stucki, and Chan (2011), “a multi-professional approach that is provided to individuals of working age with health-related impairments, limitations, or restrictions with work functioning and whose primary aim is to optimize work participation” (p. 133). Two general types of rehabilitation are; supported employment and prevocational training (Crowther, Marshall, Bond, & Huxley, 2001). Both types of rehabilitation offer aid for individuals suffering from mental illness and wish to join the working environment. The supported employment rehabilitation, according to Crowther, et al (2001), “involved trying to place clients in competitive jobs without any extended preparation” (p. 3). Whereas prevocational rehabilitation involved an extended period where clients and clinicians would meet and work on skills and training prior to employment (Crowther, et al, 2001). Both programs are utilized by vocational rehabilitation clinicians when working with individuals who suffer from mental illness but wish to work or return to work. The goal of both programs and vocational rehabilitation is to allow the individual to confidently enter the workforce.
In the United States, once a criminal offender has served his or her sentence, they are released back into society. It is important that these individuals find honest work and begin their reintegration back into society. However, according to Hamilton, Schneider, Kane, and Jordan (2015), “in 2013/14, only 25% of prisoners entered employment when released from prison [9] indicating that offenders are failing to attain the benefits- such as social engagement, economic stability and independence, which employment can offer them on their release” (p. 2). Vocational rehabilitation clinicians can work with these incarcerated individuals from within the prison system. These clinicians may have the ability to help inmates find appropriate work after their time is served, which can be important in keeping them out of prison. Often, these inmates are in the most need for vocational rehabilitation. Harley (1996) states, “Overwhelmingly, incarcerated offenders have a low level of educational attainment, lack of vocational skills, exhibit higher than average rates of unemployment, have mild mental retardation or learning disabilities, have alcohol and drug dependence, and some serious emotional disturbance” (p. 45). Clearly there is a great need for vocational rehabilitation if these inmates want to stay out of prison and working legitimate jobs.
Treating inmates within the prison system can be complicated and ethically challenging. Some prisons may not have the ability to provide programs such as vocational rehabilitation due to funding and other limitations. Prisoners are often moved between prisons and improper communication between prisons may prevent that inmate from continuing his or her rehabilitation at the new facility. There are also security issues that can arise which may prevent an inmate from receiving the rehabilitation care needed. According to Hoke (2015), “The U.S prison system falls short of meeting acceptable standards of care. Reasons may range from lack of resources to conflicts of interest between healthcare providers and security protocols” (Brief Overview of Healthcare in Corrections, para. 2). Interruptions in rehabilitation can also pose ethical challenges for the clinician. When an inmate is required to be in solitary confinement, he or she will be unable to proceed with rehabilitation. This confinement can also hinder any work that has been done thus far for the inmate. Hoke (2015) states, “Being confined to a single area for 23 hours a day for a prolonged period of time has proven to be psychologically harmful” (Segregation, para. 3). However, the vocational rehabilitation clinician must work within the confines of prison security, so the welfare of the client (inmate) does not come into account in these instances. To overcome obstacles such as prison security rules versus counselor ethics, the clinician may work with the prison to find ways to meet with the inmate in a controlled environment. When the inmate is segregated for 23 hours a day, it may be possible to work within the one hour of time for a quick session. If the inmate is transferred to another facility the clinician can work with the new vocational rehabilitation specialist to ensure the inmate’s progress is not lost. Communication can help overcome several ethical obstacles that may arise.
Vocational rehabilitation clinicians are important members of the mental health community in both the prison environment and society in general. Individuals with mental health issues have the same right to work as an individual without mental illness. Those who have been incarcerated also need skills that allow for them to obtain appropriate work to aid with their reintegration into society. Crowther, et al (2001) stated, “There are compelling ethical, social, and clinical reasons for helping mentally ill people to work. From an ethical standpoint, the right to work is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948” (p. 2). The vocational rehabilitation clinician can ensure these individuals fulfill their human right to work.
References
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