NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/mercurynews/business/13506618.htm?source=rss&channel=mercurynews_business

Looks like you can't be fired from your job just because you used to be a lunatic. More to the point, mental illness is a disability like any other so employers must provide 'reasonable accomodations'.

My suggestin=ons for reasonable accomodations include:

No sudden movements by members of management and/or customers.
Safety scissors.
Padded breakrooms.
CRayons and doodling paper(I just like to doodle. :) )


*Humps the photocopier.*

The other employees get coffee breaks. I demand thorazine breaks!

Oh goody. I really have it made now.
My "attitude problem" is now a disability.
Hahahahahaha!!

I have worked with adults who have mental illness for many years, and I find this ruling to be very just. I don't know the details of the case but what happened years ago should not affect the persons ability to remain employeed if there are no current behavior problems. Mental illness can be "cured" with the proper types and levels of medication. Without a ruling like this some employers would fire anyone with any signs of mental illness.

Not something I ever had to worry about. It isn't easy to spot the unstable clown. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aetsch/cheeky-smiley-005.gif

The other employees get coffee breaks. I demand thorazine breaks!

Ech! Thorazine! :p

Ech! Thorazine! :p
Haldol then?

Weuuuuuuu!!!

Haldol then?

I prefer to remain natural lovable me. *staples people together* :D

Not something I ever had to worry about. It isn't easy to spot the unstable clown. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aetsch/cheeky-smiley-005.gif

Mom never said I had a twin brother--brother!;)

I have worked with adults who have mental illness for many years, and I find this ruling to be very just. I don't know the details of the case but what happened years ago should not affect the persons ability to remain employeed if there are no current behavior problems. Mental illness can be "cured" with the proper types and levels of medication. Without a ruling like this some employers would fire anyone with any signs of mental illness.
I agree, mental illness is a medical problem just like any other. It wouldn't be fair to discriminate against the mentally ill. I have been diagnosed, misdiagnosed and rediagnosed with so many mental illnesses that it's not funny. I would hate to think that it would keep me from getting a job, it's bad enough that some employers are checking your credit report now I mean so what if Bob has bad credit, does that really mean he can't flip burgers?

sorry for the rant. I have worked with the mentally ill before too, and life is more difficult for them, they should at least have a fair chance at getting a job.

I think too damn many people are convinced by shrinks that they have a mental illness, when actually, they're just as fucked up as anyone else, and normal is a myth. Come on now. People managed before all these drugs and treatments, and I bet your great uncle Ed who used to keep telling people to shut up when no one was talking was thought better of than if he'd been told he was mentally ill. One is a quirk. The other is an illness. And people avoid sick people. Just admit that we're all a bit strange, and you just make allowances for people's strangeness.

Weuuuuuuu!!!
What he said.

What he said.

While I don't agree with what you say, sir, I'd defend to the death your right to say it.

Nah, he's chatting shit, don't listen to him

HE'S CRAZY SHH, the rabbits are listening...

etc.

I have worked with adults who have mental illness for many years, and I find this ruling to be very just. I don't know the details of the case but what happened years ago should not affect the persons ability to remain employeed if there are no current behavior problems. Mental illness can be "cured" with the proper types and levels of medication. Without a ruling like this some employers would fire anyone with any signs of mental illness.

I'm assuming cured is in quotations because that is generally not the case. While much progress has been made in the study of mental illnesses, there is still no specific known cause, though there are many theories.

More specifically, mental illnesses can be controlled with proper medication, but not cured. Relapses are common for a variety of factors including, but not limited to, undesirable side affects, substance abuse and inability to remember medication. Often friends and relatives do not understand the mental illness and discourage prolonged use of medications.

Most people with mental illness can function properly in a working atmosphere, but an understanding of their mental illness is important as relapse is always a possibility. Many people with mental illnesses are treated on an outpatient basis and can maintain a fairly normal life with proper medication.

I'm assuming cured is in quotations because that is generally not the case. While much progress has been made in the study of mental illnesses, there is still no specific known cause, though there are many theories.

Are you talking about Schizophrenia or Mental Illness in general? One has several known 'risk factors', and the other is a blanket term that contains about a bazillion different disorders, some with known causes, some without.

More specifically, mental illnesses can be controlled with proper medication, but not cured. Relapses are common for a variety of factors including, but not limited to, undesirable side affects, substance abuse and inability to remember medication. Often friends and relatives do not understand the mental illness and discourage prolonged use of medications.

Most people with mental illness can function properly in a working atmosphere, but an understanding of their mental illness is important as relapse is always a possibility. Many people with mental illnesses are treated on an outpatient basis and can maintain a fairly normal life with proper medication.

Yeah, I was gonna reply here, but then I saw you were pretty much just talking generalities and inconsequentials.

Oh yeah, I've been told I'm Schizophrenic so I know my shiznitz... maybe I should start an 'ask a...' thread.

Are you talking about Schizophrenia or Mental Illness in general? One has several known 'risk factors', and the other is a blanket term that contains about a bazillion different disorders, some with known causes, some without.



Yeah, I was gonna reply here, but then I saw you were pretty much just talking generalities and inconsequentials.

Oh yeah, I've been told I'm Schizophrenic so I know my shiznitz... maybe I should start an 'ask a...' thread.

(Aargh, Jolt flipped out so I have to retype this!)

I did an EMS test yesterday that focused on Schizophrenia, so I was indeed thinking about that when I responded. Mental illness is a blanket term. Without dissecting every mental illness out there, I do realize that some mental illnesses can be cured if caught early enough and treated properly. However, many require long-term medication and often recur. Those who suffer from mental illnesses which cannot be cured can maintain a functional life with proper medication and treatment. I felt it was important for people to understand this.

(Aargh, Jolt flipped out so I have to retype this!)

I did an EMS test yesterday that focused on Schizophrenia, so I was indeed thinking about that when I responded. Mental illness is a blanket term. Without dissecting every mental illness out there, I do realize that some mental illnesses can be cured if caught early enough and treated properly. However, many require long-term medication and often recur. Those who suffer from mental illnesses which cannot be cured can maintain a functional life with proper medication and treatment. I felt it was important for people to understand this.

You're still wrong though. I've come into contact with plenty of poor buggers who'll never be able to maintain a functional life.

Plus, the answer is not always primarily medication, or even any medication at all. People are so quick to suggest handing out meds to every case as a quick fix.

Hell, when I was little it was in fashion amongst doctors not to remove tonsils if at all possible, and as a consequence I had to suffer through four years of reacurring tonsilitus before we ended up paying a private doctor to yank 'em. The 'reach for the pills' reaction to Mental illnesses is exactly the same, IMHO.

HE'S CRAZY SHH, the rabbits are listening...

etc.

It's not the rabbits you have got to worry about. It's the frakkin Robins I tell yeah! They know everything damnit! They're always listening... en, en, en conspiring and shit! http://www.cohguru.com/forum/images/smilies/lookaround.gif

You're still wrong though. I've come into contact with plenty of poor buggers who'll never be able to maintain a functional life.

Plus, the answer is not always primarily medication, or even any medication at all. People are so quick to suggest handing out meds to every case as a quick fix.

Hell, when I was little it was in fashion amongst doctors not to remove tonsils if at all possible, and as a consequence I had to suffer through four years of reacurring tonsilitus before we ended up paying a private doctor to yank 'em. The 'reach for the pills' reaction to Mental illnesses is exactly the same, IMHO.


Whether you deem it right or not, medication is the main form of treatment for people with mental illness. Of course it is not the only form. Treatment is not defined by medication alone. It can also include psychiatric therapy, community support and hospitalization. Until better methods are available, medication is a primary factor in assisting those with mental illness. I never said it was or should be used in every case of mental illness, but it is an essential part of treatment for many.

I worked with a woman who had schizophrenia. There were days where she functioned like any other person and there were days where she heard voices in her head. At times she would have to take a leave of absence to admit herself to a mental health facility. As her employer, it was important for us to understand her needs and how to interact with her during particularly strong episodes. I know not everyone with a mental illness can "maintain a functional life", but so many can and do so.

He, hehe, hahaha... HAHAHAHA!!!
Nice!