NAMI Ask the Expert: The Key Role of Families in Vocational Recovery for People with Serious Mental Health Conditions OD007

An on-demand video and transcript of the presentation are available here [opens in new tab].

About The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They are an alliance of more than 650 local Affiliates and 49 State organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education to people with mental illness and their loved ones. Through awareness, advocacy and education, NAMI is committed to building stronger communities and a better future for everyone affected by mental illness.

Course Summary

This course, based on the Ask the Expert webinar series by NAMI, explores the vital role of families and natural supporters in the vocational recovery of individuals living with serious mental health conditions. The course highlights evidence-based strategies families can use to foster employment readiness, provide emotional and practical support, navigate barriers related to stigma and disability benefits, and collaborate with service providers. Participants will also be introduced to free tools and resources for families supporting vocational recovery.

The course, with an intended audience of social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors, emphasizes practical application of evidence-based vocational recovery strategies, family systems support, and ethical considerations when supporting clients and their families.

Course Format

This course contains a participant guide, practice test, and on-demand video (with a slide deck of the presentation). When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the unique contributions of family support in vocational recovery for people with serious mental health conditions.
2. Describe common family concerns related to employment and strategies to address them.
3. Apply evidence-based approaches, including Individual Placement and Support (IPS), to support clients and families in vocational recovery.

Course Syllabus

• The Importance of Family Support in Vocational Recovery
• Common Concerns of Families Regarding Employment
• Practical Strategies for Family Involvement
• Evidence-Based Vocational Models and Resources

Current References

Claassens, H., Delespaul, P., & Feringa, D. (2025). Chronic sorrow: lived experiences of family caregivers of people with severe mental illness. Illness, Crisis & Loss, 33(2), 474–489. https://doi.org/10.1177/10541373241256247 [opens in new tab]

Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2004). At issue: Stop the stigma: Call mental illness a brain disease. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(3), 477–479. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a007095 [opens in new tab]

Handayani, A. A. (2022). Family Involvement in Mental Health Recovery: Systemic Barriers and Supportive Strategies for Enhancing Treatment Adherence and Outcomes. Jurnal Riset Kualitatif dan Promosi Kesehatan, 1(2), 57–71. https://doi.org/10.61194/jrkpk.v1i2.656 [opens in new tab]

Knaifel, E., & Rubinstein, L. (2025). Intersectionality and caregiving: The exclusion experience and coping resources of immigrant women caring for a family member with severe mental illness. Qualitative Health Research, 35(6), 611–625. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323241271996 [opens in new tab]

MacDonald, E. M., Hayes, R. L., & Baglioni, A. J. (2000). The quantity and quality of the social networks of young people with early psychosis compared with closely matched controls. Schizophrenia Research, 60(1), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0920-9964(00)00024-4 [opens in new tab]

McFarlane, W. R., McNary, S., Dixon, L., Hornby, H., & Cimett, E. (2001). Predictors of dissemination of family psychoeducation in community mental health centers in Maine and Illinois. Psychiatric Services, 52(7), 935–942. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.52.7.935 [opens in new tab]

Modini, M., Tan, L., Brinchmann, B., Wang, M.-J., Killackey, E., Glozier, N., Mykletun, A., & Harvey, S. B. (2016). Supported employment for people with severe mental illness: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the international evidence. British Journal of Psychiatry, 209(1), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.165092 [opens in new tab]

Modini, M., Joyce, S., Mykletun, A., Christensen, H., Bryant, R. A., Mitchell, P. B., & Harvey, S.B. (2016). The mental health benefits of employment: Results of a systematic meta-review. Australasian Psychiatry, 24(4), 331–336. https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856215618523 [opens in new tab]

Mueser, K. T., Corrigan, P. W., Hilton, D. W., Tanzman, B., Schaub, A., Gingerich, S., Essock, S. M., Tarrier, N., Morey, B., Vogel-Scibilia, S.,  Herz, M. I. (2002). Illness management and recovery: A review of the research. Psychiatric Services, 53(10), 1272–1284. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.53.10.1272 [opens in new tab]

Panadevo, J., Kotera, Y., Køcks, N. R., Kring, L. D., & Møller, S. B. (2025). Personal recovery after mental illness from a cultural perspective: A scoping review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 71(3), 444–468. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241303026 [opens in new tab]

Randolph, S. B., Barch, D. M., Ben-Zeev, D., & Moran, E. K. (2025). Exploring the Experience of Community Participation Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illness. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 45(3), 452–462. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492241262290 [opens in new tab]

van Husen, G., Burger, T. J., de Koning, M. B., de Wit, M. A., Segeren, M. W., & Beekman, A. T. (2025). Needs of the network: a qualitative study of the needs of family members, partners and close friends of people with a severe mental illness (SMI). BMC psychiatry, 25(1), 220. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06607-8 [opens in new tab]

Instructors

Jessica A. Jonikas, M.A., Associate Director, University of Illinois Chicago Center on Mental Health Services Research & Policy

Jessica A. Jonikas, M.A. is Associate Director of the UIC Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy. Ms. Jonikas is co-investigator or program director on federally-funded projects to promote wellness self-management, holistic health, and self-determination for people in mental health recovery, as well as evidence-based practices and research translation in public mental health settings. Ms. Jonikas is the senior author or co-author of research articles, book chapters, training guides, and other educational resources on recovery-oriented models of care. For over 25 years, she has been influential in preparing and mentoring the mental health workforce.

Judith A. Cook, PhD, Professor Associate Director, University of Illinois Chicago Center on Mental Health Services Research & Policy

Judith A. Cook is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, both at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine. Dr. Cook is an internationally recognized authority on mental health services research, specifically the study of clinical and rehabilitation outcomes of children, youth and adults receiving community-based care. She also designs and studies innovative programs to enhance the health and behavioral health of vulnerable populations. Her research includes studies of work and education outcomes, family and peer support, impact of employment on health and well-being, and the role of work in recovery. She works with federal, state, and local authorities on behavioral health service system redesign and alternative financing strategies for high quality mental health services which she has studied and consulted on in multiple U.S. states.

Nicole Errickson, LCSW

Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia. She brings over 19 years experience in the social work field, primarily working in school systems as a school social worker and with the McKinney-Vento grant. Over her career, Nicole has had several opportunities to help develop and execute professional development events. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 1 general continuing education credits.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.