Often, when the subject of literacy is broached, clients say they want to get their grade 12.
Mental health workers noted that companies often take advantage of their clients, e.g. phone companies.
Mental health workers noted the importance of having a process for identifying literacy issues and talking about whether or not a client would be interested in attending a literacy program. Literacy assessment needs to be an integral part of their work with clients. Even asking a question as simple as, “Do you read and write as well as you would like?” could elicit some very useful information. Discuss the possibility of creating literacy screening as part of the mental health intake process, e.g. REALM.
This may be the first time a client has talked to a mental health professional about literacy issues. It is important to be sensitive. Mental health workers reported that it would be helpful to have a list of possible questions together with a checklist that they could discuss with their clients. This would include literacy-related real-life activities that a person needs in order to function well in society.
Participants stressed the importance of mental health and literacy staff using language so that clients are not put off, for example with words like ‘initial assessment.’ Often clients perceive the word ‘assessment’ as being negative because it is used extensively in the mental health field.
Mental health workers feel they can promote the idea of improving literacy and have information about literacy programs readily available. They can explain to clients how improving their literacy skills can be meaningful in their lives and show how it links to vocational goals. When clients make contact with a literacy program, they will need to explain their goals. Mental health workers can help to provide motivation for attending a program. Clients are often scared about going back to school and sometimes find it difficult to follow through because of negative experiences with learning in their past. Setting foot inside a school building again can be traumatic. Mental health workers can help them overcome this fear.
Mental health workers identified that clients often have a pre-conceived idea about what they want to do but it may not always be practical and they could be setting themselves up for failure. Mental health workers could suggest alternatives and get them to explore options. Peer support would be useful. Clients would hear about the ways other people had been successful; sometimes hearing from peers sends a stronger message.
Mental health workers felt they could help alleviate stress by providing support for approaching a literacy program. They could be available to go to initial assessments with clients who are often anxious, hesitant and fearful. Mental health workers explained that clients find it difficult to take the initiative for new ventures. They are not good at organizing themselves. There is a lot for them to work through – getting up, lunches, buses. Many are dependent and are just learning to make their own decisions. Change does not come easily.