Transcript Mental Health and Supported Employment

Mental Health and Employment
Mark Logan.
Regional Manager – RehabCare
Outline and themes
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The value of work – research review,
Current issues – the case for change,
Exploding the myths – where you stand affects
your point of view,
The consumer experience,
Stigma
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The way forward.
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What Work Means
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‘Work is at the very core of contemporary life for
most people, providing financial security,
personal identity, and an opportunity to make a
meaningful contribution to community life.’
(NAMI / WHO Mental Health and Work 2000)
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Work is a fundamental counterpoint to play.
Approximately 70% of relationships are formed in
work.
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Unemployment and Mental
Health Problems.
People with mental health issues live in poverty,
 Diagnosis adversely affects job prospects,
 Research (UK and Ireland 1993) suggested that
61% -73% were unemployed but wanted to work,
 Recent Galway based study found 75%
unemployed, consistent with the National
Economic and Social Forum (2007) study finding
80% of people with serious mental health
problems were unemployed. (L. McGuire 2008)
 Mental illness is linked to the economic
environment,
 People who are working more likely to stay out of
hospital, and for longer periods,
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Value of work – contd.
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Strong research evidence points to the harmful
effects of unemployment, and increasing
depression and anxiety,
Self esteem and confidence is lowered,
concentration is affected, and the risk of suicide
is greatly increased,
Research evidence that supported work reduces
dependence on mental health services,
Repper and Perkins (2003) cited research that
with the right supports 60% of people with more
serious problems could find and retain
employment (Bond et al 1997, 2001 and Crowther et al
2001)
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ASK - attributes, attitudes, and abilities,
- skills,
- knowledge. (EVE Ltd Employment Services)
Current Issues – money and mental
illness
The share of total public health spending on
mental health fell from 14% in 1984 to 7.76% in
2007, (Mental Health Commission, 2008)
 On-going over emphasis on institutional as
opposed to community care,
 Mental Health Commission Report last week
emphasised the cost of mental illness in Ireland €3 billion in 2006,
 Direct and Indirect costs of Schizophrenia found
to be €420m (@10,000 people in Ireland )
 Both figures likely to be underestimated (Dr.
Caragh Behan - Irish Journal of Psychological
Medicine 2008)
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Exploding the Myths.
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Only 20% of people who experience severe
mental illness fail to recover,
For most people problems are temporary
although difficulties can last for some time,
People with mental health problems are not any
more, or less, dangerous than anyone else,
They are not more / less unpredictable than
anyone else,
Have to lie for fear of being judged,
Recovery from the consequences of
experiencing mental illness can be harder than
recovery from the illness itself.
The Consumer Experience
People feel guilty about their circumstances,
 Mental illness has a negative impact on self
esteem, confidence, and purpose,
 An isolating experience compounded by poor
communication,
 Stigma cited as being a major issue for people
who experience mental health problems,
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STIGMA !!!!
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Stigma is the application of pejorative labelling and
stereotyping, contributing to separation, status loss, and
discrimination,
‘Brand, stain, blemish, defect, or scar – a mark of shame
and discredit.’
‘The Economics of Mental Health Care in Ireland’ authors
Eamon O’Shea and Brendan Kennelly (NUIG) suggest that
stigma may prevent citizens and politicians from investing
in mental health services and their development.
1984 – 14%, 2007 – 7.76%
Suicide accounts for twice the number of deaths than road
traffic accidents yet the National Office for Suicide
Prevention has a sixth of the budget of the Road Safety
Authority.
Stigma contd.
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The World Health Organisation cites stigma as one of the
greatest challenges facing people who have experienced
serious mental health problems,
The U.S.A.’s National Institute for Mental Health found that
people would rather tell employers they had committed a
petty crime and served time in prison than admit to time
spent in a psychiatric hospital,
We fear, mistrust, isolate, ignore, and attack people with
serious mental health problems,
Stigma is a major contributor to suicide, drug and alcohol
misuse, homelessness, and imprisonment.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Where you stand affects your point of view,
 Are you job ready?
 Do you have the requisite skills, self awareness,
and commitment / passion to engage the
business community about employment and
mental health?
 Who are the experts?
 Is there scope for a symbiotic relationship?
 Who else needs to be involved?
 How do you get them involved?
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Next Steps and Actions
Engage a trainer in mental health awareness
training – equivalent to disability awareness
training,
 Honestly appraise your own and your teams
views and feelings about mental illness,
 Who in your team is best placed to engage and
‘sell’ the idea to employers,
 Has this person been trained in presenting to
business people e.g. using PowerPoint and other
tools?
 Can you involve and include people with
experience of mental illness in your engagement
strategies?
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Actions contd.
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Form strategic alliances and partnerships with the
mental health sector both statutory and
voluntary,
Offer to facilitate training, information sharing,
and self help support for businesses and their
employees,
Include and involve service users and review
impact of your overall strategy,
Seek the input of ‘friendly’ employers to improve
on your strategy,
Always be positive and concentrate on what
people can do.