These resources offer a comprehensive range of strategies and tools to promote community participation and inclusion for individuals with mental health conditions. They cover topics such as leveraging social media for community involvement, policy development at the county level, anti-discrimination initiatives, specific integration strategies, managing risks, disaster preparedness, financial literacy, and utilizing online platforms to enhance community engagement. Additionally, they provide insights on the roles of centers for independent living, consumer-run programs, managed care entities, and peer specialists in fostering community inclusion.
“Reflect. Connect. Act. transforms research into actionable methods for community participation, offering monthly micro-trainings and weekly journal prompts designed to foster personal, social, and professional growth. Updated monthly in 2026, the initiative encourages intentional engagement and provides strategies for sustained community involvement, adaptable for various settings throughout the year.”
PODS: The Power of Dependable Souls Intervention Manual” is a guide designed to help agencies support participants to engage in independent, sustainable community participation. Professionals (like psychiatric rehabilitation specialists or peer specialists) can use this document to understand the purpose and participant-driven philosophy of the PODS program, implement its structured phases from preparation to group support, and access practical resources such as session guides, worksheets, and planning templates.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant.
A visual abstract detailing a published article on the relationship between social acceptance, stigma, and loneliness among adults with SMI.
A visual abstract detailing a published article on the influence of sense of community on community participation and mental health for individuals with SMI.
A visual abstract detailing a published article on the relationship between venturing in the community and neurocognition among adults with serious mental illness.
The purpose of this document is to pull together the knowledge and experience gained over the years from ADA staff who have been involved with this program, many from the beginning, along with colleagues from Solutions for Independence, another Center for Independent Living based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, about a number of topics, including:
1) Their perceptions about program impacts on the lives of individuals with significant mental health issues
2) The core elements that they believe make the program successful
3) The stages of the program
4) Typical strategies that are used to support independent living and participation
5) Key challenges and solutions when implementing the program
This guide explores how those with mental illnesses can use social media to increase community involvement. It covers popular platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeetUp, and Yelp, and analyzes their features, as well as potential risks and considerations associated with social media use.
This 27-page document addresses the roles that mental health administrators at the county level can play in promoting community inclusion, with an emphasis on policy development, establishing funding priorities, encouraging system-wide and staff training, and evaluating outcomes.
This document provides guidance on anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination initiatives for individuals with mental health conditions, particularly those involved in peer-run programs, to promote genuine community inclusion.
This compendium of twenty-one specific community integration strategies, across several core life domains, provides guidance to consumers, family members, and public and private agencies in generating new program directions.