Education as psychosocial rehabilitation: Supported education program partnerships with mental health and behavioral healthcare certificate programs

Abstract

Abstract Supported education programs serve students with psychiatric illnesses in pursuing higher education. Mental health and behavioral health certificate programs prepare graduates for paraprofessional employment. They may additionally encourage consumers to enroll in their programs, thereby increasing the availability of 'qualified consumer providers in the workforce. This article describes the partnership of a supported education program located in a Connecticut rehabilitation agency with two community college certificate programs in promoting consumer empowerment and recovery by helping consumers attend and/or return to higher education, complete their chosen educational program, and attain employment in the behavioral health field. Students, including consumers recovering from mental illnesses and addictions, acquire competencies, skills and perspectives through education. Behavioral health programs and the consumers they serve benefit from hiring certificate program graduates.