(Running Time: 35 Minutes. Available in DVD or VHS format.)

Psychiatric disability is one of the most disquieting topics in today's workforces.

Lack of familiarity with these issues on the part of coworkers, supervisors and human resources professionals most commonly leads to confusion, fear and avoidance - rather than to effective intervention and accommodation.

This straightforward video is a welcome and no-nonsense approach to psychiatric disabilities in the workplace. Drawing on individuals with legal and psychological expertise, it:

• Explains the nature of common psychiatric disabilities in both technical and practical terms.
• Suggests appropriate accommodations.
• Clarifies ADA-related issues.

The Introduction provides viewers with a clear overview of how people with mental disabilities are protected by the ADA and how their need for reasonable accommodations are a responsibility of their employers.

Scenarios

The video uses engaging scenarios, from everyday workplaces, that shed light on these common types of mental disability:

• Depression
• Chemical Dependency
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Anxiety
• Expressive Communication Disorder
• Manic Depression/Bi-Polar

For each disability above:

• One or more scenarios are played out in the video.
• A Clinical Psychiatrist explains the nature and symptoms of the disability.
• Comments are made by the employee abut their disability, its relationship to their job, and the accommodation that they require to be productive.
• For each scenario, a comment on the legal "reasonableness" of the accommodation is given by an Attorney.

Related issues such as workplace harassment/hostile work environment are also dealt with.

Applications

As a tool for Human Resources professionals, Diversity Managers, or Job Developers, this video is a great tool for introducing the issue of psychiatric disabilities in the workplace, reducing apprehension and misgivings about employees with these disabilities, and instill a basic level of knowledge and understanding of related issues.

As an introduction to the subject area, it can be a great starting point for subsequent open discussion and dialogue.

The DVD version has a convenient Menu feature that makes it easy to view the video according to selected segments.

Accessibility

Close captioned.
 

Note to Canadian customers: Due to the extensive references to the Americans with Disabilities Act, we do not stock this item in Canada. If ordered, product will be shipped from the US.