Mental illness is still a barrier for those who want to work
Stigma continues to surround mental illness especially when it
comes to getting a job. Australia’s unemployment rate at one of
its lowest levels, however many individuals living with a mental
illness continue to find it difficult to get a job. Benefits of
work stretch far beyond the receipt of a pay packet- a job
provides a critical sense of self-worth, self-esteem and social
identity. Indeed for those suffering from mental illness
employment can be part of the recovery back to good health. The
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and
Employment recently delivered their report “Work Wanted” to the
Federal Parliament. The resounding message in the report from
those with a mental illness is that they want to work but cannot
seem to get a break. Whether it is from employers, colleagues,
clinicians, families, members of the wider community or the
individual themselves, sufferers of mental illness are often
confronted with unfounded a