Staying connected, maintaining social networks, and participating in the community while practicing physical distancing and following stay-at-home orders can be challenging. To support individuals with lived experience in serious mental illness, the NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Community Living and Participation of People with Serious Mental Illness (TU Collaborative) has developed a new support program called ConnectionsRx, which incorporates a series of strategies to assist individuals with mental illness in staying connected with their communities while practicing physical distancing.
The ConnectionsRx program consists of two components: A one-to-one approach and a private Facebook group.
The one-to-one approach supports individuals in identifying community interests and available resources, exploring opportunities, and increasing participation while practicing physical distancing. Participants meet virtually with Community Inclusion Specialist Kyra Baker to develop an individualized ConnectionsRx plan and receive ongoing support to put that plan into action. To get started, fill out a brief form or contact Kyra Baker at kyra.baker@temple.edu for more information and/or to enroll in the ConnectionsRx program.
The second component of the ConnectionsRx program is a private Facebook group created by the TU Collaborative to support people with lived experience of mental illness in continuing meaningful community participation while remaining physically distant. The private Facebook group connects individuals to ideas and resources for community participation, facilitates group challenges and activities, and provides a space for mutual support. If you are interested in receiving an invitation to the ConnectionsRx Facebook group, please email tucollab@temple.edu with the email connected/associated to your Facebook account and the TU Collaborative will send you an invite, or you can request to join on the Facebook group page.
Learn more about the TU Collaborative and their resources at www.tucollaborative.org.
Collection Spotlight from the National Rehabilitation Information Center 