Mental Health

Learn more about how mental health can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including employment outcomes

Mental Health & Employment

Mental health can play a big role in employment outcomes. That’s especially true for students moving into the workplace. Transition moments like these can put a big strain on mental health.

Hear from local, state, and national leaders how supporting mental health can lead to better employment outcomes for your students.

Presenters on the panel include:

  • Gene Oulvey, Ph.D., Coordinator of Evaluation, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, & Addiction Services, IL IPS Initiative

  • Kelsi Linville, Bureau Chief, Division of Mental Health & Addiction

  • Kristy Eaton, EdD, MSW, LCSW,  Assistant Director, The Indiana School Mental Health Initiative

  • Carla Orr, Team Lead, Adult & Child Health

  • Theresa Koleszar, M.S. Rehabilitation, CRC, Director, Bureau of Rehabilitative Services

OCD and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

People with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) experience obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) equal to or more than people without disabilities.

This video explores aspects of OCD like:

  • What obsessions and compulsions are most common

  • How OCD can affect individuals across the lifespan

  • Similarities and differences between OCD and autism

Anxiety &IDD

It’s common for people with IDD to experience anxiety.

This video covers the many types of anxiety such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder.

Learn about how anxiety and IDD can interact, explore real-life examples, and find out about some ways you can support individuals with IDD who are affected by anxiety.

The Intersection of Depression and IDD

People with IDD may also experience depression. This video covers different ways depression can affect people, including some practical examples.

You’ll learn about the latest research on depression, along with some recommendations on ways you can provide support.

The video also covers factors that can cause or worsen depression, including how transition can affect depression.

The Relationship between Bipolar Disorder and IDD

Bipolar disorder can significantly impact a person in many ways such as with employment, relationships, and physical health. But there are many ways people can learn to manage their bipolar disorder, too. Learn about bipolar disorder and some of these strategies:

  • Different kinds of bipolar disorder

  • How it can present differently in people with intellectual disabilities

  • Myths surrounding bipolar disorder

Domestic Violence & IDD

There are many kinds of abuse: physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual, and financial/economic. People with IDD experience them all. However, it can be especially difficult for people with IDD to access domestic violence services.

This is why it is important to learn about how to recognize and respond when someone with IDD discloses abuse. Learn about the signs of abuse, how disability-specific abuse can look, and common reasons why people with IDD do not report abuse.

Personality Disorders and IDD

Although each personality disorder is different, they all affect how a person thinks, behaves, and reacts. Learn more about the different types of personality disorders, how they are similar, and how they differ. This webinar covers:

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Dependent Personality Disorder

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and IDD

Delusions and hallucinations are only some symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Learn about the variety of symptoms a person with schizophrenia can experience, and other disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum. This webinar discusses:

  • Early signs of schizophrenia

  • How symptoms can change with age

  • Accommodations and considerations for employment

Managing Anxiety in the Workplace 

People can experience anxiety when starting a new job, talking to a crowd of people, or when they have a performance review. For some people, anxiety can get in the way of applying for a job at all. In this video, you can learn more about anxiety in the workplace, including:

  • Different ways anxiety and employment can overlap 

  • Strategies for managing anxiety in the workplace 

  • Best practices and personal stories