Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 2-8, 2016
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has designated the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). According to the NAMI,one in five American adults lives with mental illness. Establishing MIAW is one of many steps NAMI has taken to increase awareness about mental illness and confront fear, discrimination in the workplace, and stigma head on. This year during MIAW, NAMI encourages people to take the #StigmaFree pledge.
People with mental illness represent many segments of the workforce. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four employees need mental health care. With well-managed symptoms and support from family, friends, colleagues and a Ticket to Work service provider, people with mental illness can be successful on the job.
Work can greatly help people with mental illness earn a living, improve self-esteem, and become more independent.
Additional Resources
For more information about employment and mental illness, check out our previous posts honoring Mental Health Month 2016.
- May is Mental Health Month
- Veterans, Mental Illness, and Employment: How Ticket to Work Can Help
- Tips for Supporting a Friend or Family Member with Mental Illness during the Transition to Work
- Mental Illness: On Meaningful Work and Recovery
- Achieving Success and Wellness with Ticket to Work
- Should You Disclose Your Mental Illness to Your Employer?
About Ticket to Work
Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.
Learn More
To learn more about Ticket to Work, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work, or contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket to Work Find Help tool.
