The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that the unemployment rate among persons with severe mental illness is between 70 percent and 90 percent, a higher rate than "for any other group of people with disabilities in the nation" (Matrix Institute, 1997).

People coping with serious mental illness can encounter many barriers as they try to reach their employment and vocational goals. Many individuals feel fearful or ambivalent about going to work, especially if it means they will lose other benefits they need for housing or health care. Some may think they need to be entirely symptom-free in order to work. Our experience is that people who have active symptoms can work and many benefit from doing so. The challenge is creating the "fit".

Guild Employment Services helps individuals who have a mental illness find, get and keep suitable employment that meets each participant’s abilities and preferences.

Features of Guild Employment Services include:

• Giving careful attention to the matching of individuals with the settings and supports they desire and need.
• Finding (and sometimes creating) employment opportunities in the community ("competitive" jobs in local businesses), which pay customary wages.
• Customizing services from person to person as each individual has unique preferences, strengths and challenges, related to employment.
• Making access to services easy and flexible in order to encourage individuals to "try" whenever they express interest or have an idea of something they want to pursue.
• Integrating employment services with clinical services. Research shows this is an important principle in helping individuals find and keep their jobs.
• Helping employers and participants solve on-the-job problems.
• Assuring long-term support for participants.

A Success Story:

Charles* is in his mid forties and has been on Social Security for many years due to his illness. He began working in a sheltered workshop, but with the help of the Guild Employment Services Team, has moved into a regular, competitive job. He has gradually been increasing his hours and has reached the point where he is able to go off of public benefits. Charles is fully supporting himself through a competitive job in the community.

Eligibility Criteria:
Guild Employment Services are designed to serve:

• adult men and women (age 18 and over)
• of any marital status
• individuals who are citizens of Ramsey or Dakota County
• who have a serious mental illness (some services are limited to individuals with a serious and persistent mental illness)

How to Access Services:

• If you live in Dakota County, call the Guild Community Support Program directly at 651/457-2248 and ask for Employment Services.
• If you live in Ramsey County and receive on-going case management services from Guild St. Paul Area, you can use the Employment Services by telling your case manager of your interest or by calling 651/291-0067 and asking for Employment Services.

GUILD INCORPORATED

• Promotes working as part of recovery
• Is accredited by CARF for Community Employment Services
• Is an approved provider for Rehabilitation Services of the MN Department of Economic Security and for certain employment services covered by Minnesota Health Care Programs
• Enhances the business community through workforce development

* Name changed for privacy.