2. Profile
  3. Jessica A. Jonikas

Jessica A. Jonikas MA

Jessica A. Jonikas
Designation
  • Associate Director, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy
Gender Pronouns
  • she/her
Contact Information
  • jonikas [at] uic.edu
  • (315) 413-4522
  • (312) 355-4189
  • School of Public Health / Psychiatric Institute (SPHPI)
    1601 W. Taylor St.
    SPHPI MC 912
    Chicago IL 60612
  • Room #:477
Website

Ms. Jonikas is co-investigator or program director on multiple projects to promote self-determination, recovery, and wellness among adults living with mental illnesses. For over two decades, she has been influential in preparing and mentoring the behavioral health workforce, with a special focus on research translation in public mental health settings.

  • psychiatry

    Mental health services research; wellness self-management; mental health education; public policy
  • Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Function of Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities

    PI Dr. Judith Cook

    This 5-year program of research, dissemination, training, and technical assistance is advancing knowledge about the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with mental illnesses, along with a series of innovative interventions to improve their outcomes.

  • Testing an Intervention to Promote Financial Wellness Among Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities

    PI Dr. Judith Cook

    This randomized controlled trial study is testing a financial education intervention designed to increase financial literacy and promote money management skills among adults with mental illnesses.

  • Empowering Older Adults with Mental Health Disorders through Mental Illness Self-Management Education Using Wellness Recovery Action Plan

    PI Dr. Judith Cook

    In collaboration with the IDoA and Illinois DMH, this project is creating a sustainable system for delivery of an evidence-based, mental health self-management education program called Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) to individuals aged 60 and older across Illinois. 

  • Center on Integrated Health Care and Self-Directed Recovery

    PI Dr. Judith Cook

    This 5-year program of research, dissemination, training, and technical assistance is advancing knowledge about health, self-direction, and employment of adults with mental illnesses, along with a series of innovative interventions to improve their outcomes.

  • Enhancing Immune Health Literacy and Behaviors among People with Psychiatric Disabilities

    PI Dr. Judith Cook

    This randomized controlled trial study is testing a program called Enhancing Your Immune Health. The intervention is designed to improve immune health literacy and promote immune health behaviors among adults with psychiatric disabilities. The main study partner is the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey. 

  • Selected Publications

    Cook, J. A., Jonikas, J. A., Burke-Miller, J. K., Hamilton, M., Falconer, C., Blessing, M., Aranda, F., Johns, G. & Cauffield, C. (2023). Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-Directed Care for Medically Uninsured Adults with Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services, appi-ps.
    Pub Med link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36987709/

    Brown, C., Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A., Steigman, P.J., Burke-Miller, J.K., Hamilton, M.M., Rosen, C., Tessman, D.C., Santos, A. (2022). Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery: A randomized controlled trial of a community-based health intervention, Psychiatric Services, 74(5), 463-471.
    Pub Med link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36377367/

    Cook, J.A., Steigman, P.J., Swarbrick, M., Burke-Miller, J.K., Laing, T., Vite, L., Jonikas, J.A., Brown, I. (2022). Outcomes of peer-provided individual placement and support services in a mental health peer-run vocational program. Psychiatric Services, 74(5), 480-487.
    Pub Med link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36254454/

    Cook, J.A., Swarbrick, M., Boss, K.A., Steigman, P.J., Nemec, P., Jonikas, J.A., Brice, G.H., Jr., & Aranda, F. (2022). The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 45(1), 11-17.
    Pub Med link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34672640/

    Cook, J.A., Burke-Miller, J.K., Razzano, L.A., Steigman, P.J., Jonikas, J.A., & Santos, A. (2021).
    Serious mental illness, other mental health disorders, and outpatient health care as predictors of 30-day readmissions following medical hospitalization. General Hospital Psychiatry, Advance access online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.02.004.

    Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A., Steigman, P.J., Glover, C.M., Burke-Miller, J.K., Weidenaar, J., O’Neill, S., Pavick, D., Jami, A. & Santos, C.J. (2021). Registry-managed care coordination and education for patients with co-occurring diabetes and serious mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 72(8), 912-919.

    Jonikas, J. A., Cook, J. A., Swarbrick, M., Nemec, P., Steigman, P. J., Boss, K. A., & Brice, G. H. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and daily life of adults with behavioral health disorders. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 11(5), 1162-1171.

    Cook, J. A., Burke-Miller, J. K., Jonikas, J. A., Aranda, F., & Santos, A. (2020). Factors associated with 30-day readmissions following medical hospitalizations among Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Research, 291, 113168.  

    Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A. (2020). The importance of psychiatric rehabilitation services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric Services, 71(9), 883-884.

    Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A., Burke-Miller, J.K., Fricks, L., Jenkins Tucker, S. et al., (2020). Whole Health Action Management: A randomized controlled trial of a peer-led health promotion intervention. Psychiatric Services, 71(10), 1039-1046. 

    Cook, J.A., Shore, S., Burke-Miller, J.K., Jonikas, J.A. Hamilton, M., Ruckdeschel, B. et al. (2019). Mental health self-directed care financing: Efficacy in improving outcomes and controlling costs for adults with serious mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 70(3), 191-201.

    Swarbrick, M. A., Cook, J. A., Razzano, L. A., Jonikas, J. A., Gao, N., Williams, J., & Yudof, J. (2017). Correlates of current smoking among adults served by the public mental health system. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 13(2), 82-90.

    Cook, J.A., Razzano, L., Jonikas, J.A., Swarbrick, M.A., Steigman, P.J., Hamilton, M.M. Carter, T.M., & Santos, A.B. (2016). Correlates of Co-Occurring Diabetes and Obesity among Community Mental Health Program Members with Serious Mental Illnesses. Psychiatric Services in Advance (doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500219).

    Ferron, J. C., Devitt, T., McHugo, G. J., Jonikas, J. A., Cook, J. A., & Brunette, M. F. (2016). Abstinence and use of community-based cessation treatment after a motivational intervention among smokers with severe mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(4), 446-456.

    Jonikas, J.A., Cook, J.A., Razzano, L.A., Steigman, P.J., Hamilton, M.M., Swarbrick, M.A., Santos, A. (2015). Associations between gender and obesity among adults with mental illnesses in a community health screening study. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(4), 406-415.

    Cook, J.A., Razzano, L.A., Swarbrick, M.A., Jonikas, J.A., Yost, C., Burke, L., Steigman, P.K., Santos, A. (2015). Health risks and changes in self-​efficacy following community health screening of adults with serious mental illnesses. PLoS ONE, 10(4): e0123552. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.012355.

    Brown, C., Goetz, J., Bledsoe, C., Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A. (2015). A pilot study of Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery (NEW-R): A ​weight loss program for individuals with serious mental illness. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 38(4), 371-373.

    Razzano, L.A., Cook, J.A., Yost, C., Jonikas, J.A., Swarbrick, M.A. et al., (2014). Factors associated with co-occurring medical conditions among adults with serious mental disorders. Schizophrenia Research, 161(2-3), 458-464.

    Cook, J.A., Steigman, P.J., & Jonikas, J.A. (2014). Outcomes of programs serving mothers with psychiatric disabilities and their young children: A multi-site case file abstraction study. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 37(3), 232-241.

    Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A., Hamilton, M., et al. (2013). Impact of Wellness Recovery Action Planning on service utilization and need in a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 36(4), 250–257.

    Jonikas, J.A., Copeland, M.E., Cook, J.A. et al. (2013). Improving propensity for patient self-advocacy through Wellness Recovery Action Planning: results of a randomized controlled trial. Community Mental Health Journal, 49(3), 260-269.

    Cook, J.A., Copeland, M.E., Floyd, C.B., Jonikas, J.A. et al. (2012). Impact of Wellness Recovery Action Planning on depression, anxiety, and recovery: results of a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatric Services, 63(6), 541-547.

     

  • Selected Training Manuals & Toolkits

    Jonikas, J.A., Swarbrick, M., Arnold, K., Brice, G.H., Cook, J.A., & Nemec, P.B. (2021). 
    Enhancing your immune health. Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

    Swarbrick, M., Nemec, P., Cook, J., Jonikas, J., Druss, B., Federici, M., Margaglione, M., 
    O'Brien, S., Jenkins Tucker, S., Hardy, D. (2020). Self-management education & support referral algorithm. Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

    Nemec, P.B., Swarbrick, M., Jonikas, J.A., Cook, J.A., Jiménez-Solomon, O. (2019). Building 
    financial wellness. Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

    Nemec, P.B., Swarbrick, M., Jonikas, J.A., Cook, J.A. (2019). Peer support specialists enhance 
    supported employment programs: An online toolkit. Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

    Swarbrick, M., Jonikas, J.A., Yudof, J., Kenny, M., Cohn, J., Serrano, C., Yost, C., Razzano, L., 
    & Cook, J.A. (2017). Promoting wellness for people in mental health recovery: A step-by-step guide to planning and conducting a successful health fair. 2nd Edition. Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

    Cook, J.A., Curtis, L., Jonikas, J.A. et al., (2015). Self-directed care implementation manual: A comprehensive mental health program guide. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Jonikas, J.A. & Cook, J.A. (2015). This is your life! Creating your self-directed life plan, 2nd Edition.  UIC NRTC Self-Determination Series. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Jonikas, J.A., Cook, J., Batteiger, A. et al. (2014). Online Diabetes Education Toolkit. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Swarbrick, M., Jonikas, J.A., Yudof, J. et al. (2014). Promoting wellness for people in mental health recovery: A step-by-step guide to planning and conducting a successful health fair. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Jonikas, J.A., Carter, T.M., Razzano, L. et al. (2011). Health Passport: Your Journey to Wellness. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Jonikas, J.A., Hamilton, M., Cook, J.A. et al. (2010). Cultural competency in mental health peer-run programs and self-help groups: A tool to assess and enhance your services. Chicago, IL: UIC National Research & Training Center on Psychiatric Disability; Arlington, VA: NAMI Support, Technical Assistance, and Resources Center.

    Jonikas, J.A., Laris, A., & Cook, J.A.  (2002). Toolkit for increasing self-determination through advance crisis management in inpatient and community settings. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

    Laris, A., Jonikas, J.A., & Cook, J.A.  (2000). Hope for healing: Recovery and empowerment for women consumers/survivors with abuse histories. Chicago, IL: UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions.

Title Description Investigator(s) Category Status
Enhancing Immune Health Literacy and Behaviors among People with Psychiatric Disabilities This randomized controlled trial study is testing a program called Enhancing Your Immune Health. The intervention is designed to improve immune health literacy and promote immune health behaviors among adults with psychiatric disabilities. The main study partner is the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey.   Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy On-going
Healthy ReStart: National Web Survey on the Status of Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities, Intervention Development, & Pilot RCT This study began with a national web survey to determine the health, mental health, and functional status of adults with psychiatric disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were used to design a health coaching intervention using online wellness tools called Healthy ReStart. The intervention is being tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial at community mental health agencies. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy On-going
Randomized Controlled Trial of Virtual Wellness Recovery Action Plan (V-WRAP) This randomized controlled trial study assesses the effectiveness of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) when delivered via videoconferencing technology. The project’s second phase will involve creation and evaluation of a new national training and certification program for the virtual version of WRAP. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy On-going
Testing an Intervention to Promote Financial Wellness Among Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities This randomized controlled trial study is testing a financial education program called Building Financial Wellness. The program is designed to increase financial literacy and promote money management skills that enhance economic self-sufficiency and mental health recovery for adults with psychiatric disabilities. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy On-going
Advance Crisis Management Program for Inpatient Facilities In an evaluation of an intervention designed to avoid inpatient seclusion and restraint developed at the Center, the Advance Crisis Management program was associated with decreased utilization of mechanical restraint in a university medical center's psychiatric inpatient units, without increases in patient or staff injuries. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Assessing Cultural Competency in Peer-Run Mental Health Programs This project developed and evaluated the impact of a cultural competency assessment in 9 peer-run programs in the U.S. Results suggested that peer-run programs benefit from assessing their cultural competency, and implementing program-specific strategies to improve their ability to engage people from across diverse groups. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Efficacy of an Electronic Decision Support System for Smoking Cessation Results from this randomized controlled trial study showed that a web-based intervention that applies a personalized health checklist has the potential to increase motivation to quit smoking at a lower cost than standard motivational procedures. ​Learn more and access peer-reviewed research articles. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Illinois Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Initiative This evaluation study is examining the impact of providing evidence-based supported employment services through the IPS model at two sites in Chicago, as well as policy changes and workforce development activities designed to bring this service delivery model to scale throughout the state of Illinois. Learn more Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives & Employment of Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders This web survey explored changes in the lives and vocational status of adults with mental health and substance use disorders during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online survey was completed by 272 adults, recruited from statewide networks of community programs in New Jersey and New York. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Promoting Self-Determination through Self-Directed Care in Texas This randomized controlled trial study demonstrated that participants who received mental health SDC were more likely to work, to be taking classes, and to have lower somatic symptom distress than controls. Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed
Whole Health Action Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Peer-Led Health This multisite randomized controlled trial study tested the outcomes of a peer-developed and peer-delivered program called Whole Health Action Management (WHAM). The intervention is designed to increase the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for the self-management of physical health among adults with a serious mental illness.  Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy Completed

*System-generated list from psychiatry research website.