ASENZ Conference 2009 Employment and Discrimination for people with experience of mental illness Like Minds Like Mine Health Promoter Mental Health Foundation

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Overview Background of the research Employment issues for people with experience of mental illness Overview of some key findings Implications and Recommendations

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Research Background Collaborative project – Masters research conducted in 2007/8 The University of Auckland Balance New Zealand Exploratory – hypothesis-generating Methodology Participants (n = 26)

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Exploratory Research (1)Rates and manifestation of mental health discrimination in employment (2)Factors that contribute to, and minimise, discrimination in job-seeking and within employment (3)How to make employment more responsive to people who experience of mental distress and what sorts of supports are most useful

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Employment was seen as … –“a chance to become worthwhile and productive” –“provided stability and independence” –“the knowledge that one is contributing… [which in turn] contributes to wellness” - Study participants

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, What we already know… Employment increases people’s - Ability to self-advocateFeelings of contribution Access to resourcesFinancial security Develop skillsSocial status Self esteemSense of purpose Social inclusion and participation Costs of unemployment

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Overview of Results Rates of Mental Health Discrimination What Contributes to Discrimination? How to Minimise Discrimination? What is a supportive work environment?

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Mental Health Discrimination

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, What Contributes to Discrimination? Three themes – 1.Lack of Knowledge 2.Negative Beliefs 3.The media

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, How to Minimise Discrimination? Two themes – 1.Education in workplaces 2.Challenging Beliefs

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, What constitutes a supportive workplace?

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Positive Employment Quality Relationships Access to external sources of support Supported employment, unions, careers advice… Type of job [i.e. conditions] The ‘right fit’ Reasonable Accommodations

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Implications/Recommendations Workplaces –Resources - access to information, advice, and support –Mental Health education in employment –Like Minds - More assertive anti- discrimination interventions around behaviour change – i.e. “hot spots”

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Employment Services –Integration of vocational and clinical goals –Upskilling of practitioners in legislative and policy frameworks –Post employment support Strategic Disclosure Reasonable Accommodations Implications/Recommendations

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Non-responsive labour market? Insufficient supports? Inefficient sectoral interaction? Future research… Future developments

Vanessa Cooper – ASENZ Conference, Contact details │ New North Rd, Eden Terrace Auckland, 1446

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Oakley Brown, M. A., Wells, J. E., & Scott, K. M. (2006). Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand mental health survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health. Peterson, D, Barnes, A, & Duncan, C. (2008). Fighting Shadows: Self-stigma and Mental Illness. Wellington: Mental Health Foundation. Peterson, D. (2007). I haven't told them, they haven't asked: The employment experiences of people with experiences of mental illness. Wellington: Mental Health Foundation. Peterson, D., Pere, L., Sheehan, N., & Surgenor, G. (2004). Respect Costs Nothing: A survey of discrimination faced by people with experience of mental illness in Aotearoa New Zealand. Auckland: Mental Health Foundation. Tse, S., & Yeats, M. (2002). What helps people with bipolar affective disorder succeed in employment: A grounded theory approach Work, 19, Waghorn, G., & Lewis, S. (2002). Disclosure of psychiatric disabilities in vocational rehabilitation. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 8, Waghorn, G., & Lloyd, C. (2005). The employment of people with mental illness. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health 4(2), Thank you!