Is it possible for people with mental health problems to find a job?

Mental health has been surrounded by myth and stigma for a very long time. This could be due to lack of information on mental health problems or to fear that results from this 'ignorance'.

In fact, very often, many people with mental health difficulties encounter several problems when they are jobhunting, very often the reason being not because these persons would be unable to carry out a job but because employers are hesitant to employ these people within their companies or organisations.

A question that comes to mind is 'What is society doing to help people with mental health difficulties to find a job, to help them become more independent and self-supportive?'

The Richmond Foundation, through its Supported Employment Programme, one of the many services it offers, helps people with mental health problems look for a suitable job so these persons can contribute to society through employment, as is their right.

The Richmond Foundation, a Maltese non-governmental and non-profit organisation, founded in 1993, serves the community in the provision of community rehabilitation and support services for persons with mental health difficulties.

Among other services, the foundation also provides the Supported Employment Programme, a joint project between the Richmond Foundation and the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), which has been running for four years.

Through this programme, persons with mental health difficulties looking for a job receive training and once employed can enjoy all the support on their job as needed in order to enhance sustainability.

The Supported Employment Programme is made up of four phases: transition training, job exposure, job placement and support. Job seekers are offered training in groups and individually.

In order to give a voice to people with mental health problems, the foundation felt it necessary to talk about some of the experiences lived by people with mental health problems who followed the Supported Employment Programme.

Secondly, it is very important to get to know the perceptions of these persons - a point of view which has been ignored for too long. Thirdly, we hope that such experiences will help people who might be experiencing similar problems, to understand that there are alternative ways to deal with their difficulties. Help does exist - they only need to reach out. (The persons who shared their experiences prefer to remain anonymous)

Kate's experience:

I was referred to the Richmond Foundation by the consultant at the Psychiatric Outpatients clinic at hospital. I was also greatly encouraged to use the service offered by the Richmond Foundation by a friend who was already using other services offered by the foundation.

When I contacted the staff on the Supported Employment Programme, the first thing I had to do was to clarify my position with the ETC. As I started registering for work, I was referred again to the Richmond Foundation.

I had been looking for work for several months with no success. Although I had the necessary qualifications for the job I wanted, employers seemed to be afraid to employ me because I am a sufferer of mental health problems.

However, through the support offered by the Richmond Foundation and the ETC, I had my needs and capabilities assessed and after that followed two courses organised by the foundation through which I acquired more skills that helped me be more successful in my performance at work.

After that, I started to work on a part-time basis in an office on a voluntary basis. When a temporary post became available in the same office I worked there for the time it was available. Today, I am a part-time receptionist.

Throughout all this I received support from the Richmond Foundation's job coach and I am still receiving that support now. This support is given through work visits and regular discussions about the way things would be going.

Personally, I can say that I really enjoy my work. I have made new friends and I am earning a wage which has helped me become more independent. Above all, my job makes me feel useful and capable. This helps me feel more positive and also overcome the difficult moments. The best thing about this job is the satisfaction of being good at something I like. I have also received tremendous support from the people I work with. They have all been very helpful and understanding.

The most helpful thing I found was that the staff doing the Supported Employment Programme made the initial contact with my employers. I think that they were able to explain the situation to the employers better than I could have done. When I first started working, they also took care of all the paperwork. I also feel that the job coach's continuous support was extremely valuable.

Living with mental health difficulties is not easy but there are things we can do to ease the burden. Getting help is one of them. I encourage all those who feel that they might benefit from the Supported Employment Programme to seek help right now.

I would also like to appeal to employers who may be reluctant to employ people with mental health problems - we are capable and competent workers too and when we are given the opportunity we will not let you down.

Sandra's experience:

I have been following the Supported Employment Programme for three years. I had been referred to this Richmond Foundation service by the ETC. The programme has helped me reintegrate myself in the world of employment and also find the job I like.

Now that I have a job, Richmond Foundation staff still offer me support. Regular meetings are held during which they can see how I am doing at work and whether I am giving a good service. They also liaise with my manager to get a feel of how I am doing and to get to know about how other employees treat me. This is because prior to the service, I was never accepted.

The Richmond Foundation can be contacted on 2148-2336, 2122-4580 or 2144-0324. For more information visit www.richmond.org.mt or e-mail info@richmond.org.mt.

Mark's experience:

I am a 33-year-old man and throughout my life I have passed through bouts of clinical depression, characterised by sadness, fear, panic attacks, insomnia, worries and inferiority complex. I also used to think that it would have been better if I were never born. These feelings and thoughts did not always persist in a strong manner. In fact, at times, I passed through 'normal' or, better still, peaceful and tranquil moments.

About six months ago, I lost my job, due to the fact that I had relapsed into depression, and this time it was even more severe than before. I continued to refuse the help of a doctor for four whole years. Finally, at the end, I had to take a difficult decision and accepted help. Therefore, I found myself attending hospital visits in order to see a psychiatrist. In this way, I could perhaps start to understand how to deal with my problems.

I explained my problems to the doctor and, among other things, I told him about my concern about not having a job. I asked the doctor about the procedures to find an appropriate job. Having expressed this concern, I then met a social worker and started to look for a job.

I started registering for work and staff at the ETC referred me to the Richmond Foundation. The two organisations collaborated and kept constant contact with each other. Luckily, they found me a job as a gardener which was suitable for me because it involved skills which I already had. Today, I am a happy person and although I cannot say that I have solved all my problems, at least I can say I am employed.

Apart from helping me find a job, the staff at the Richmond Foundation also helped me with constant advice and support. In other words, their work did not stop at finding me a job. They still support me at work, and the minute I face a problem they are ready to lend a helping hand.

I thank people like Charles Vella of the ETC, Miriam Gauci, my social worker, and all the employees at the Richmond Foundation, especially Chris Meli and Jacqueline Delicata, for their persistent and continuous help.