When Walter P. started his summer 2019 job as a luggage handler for HAP-Yukon (Holland America Princess), he wasnât sure heâd like working with customers. It had been six years since heâd had a job, and he was worried interacting with customers would make him anxious.
But it turned out that he liked it â and he was good at it. His supervisors wrote that he was always helpful and willing to pitch in, and the tips from customers indicated they appreciated him too. Heâs already been asked to come back.
It took a while to find a job. Walterâs therapist at Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Judy Sparks, suggested going back to work was the next step in his recovery. Sparks has always believed that clients with serious mental illness need something to do, whether thatâs volunteer or paid work or activities during the day, to bring some normalcy to their lives.