Employment – hope and reality
| Published date | 23 November 2012 |
| Date | 23 November 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301211281069 |
| Pages | 201-205 |
| Author | Alex Williams |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Employment – hope and reality
Alex Williams
Abstract
Purpose – This article aims to explore what are likely to be key factors in a successful journey to
employment for someone who has experienced long-term mental distress.
Design/methodology/approach – The article is a personal account of entering and sustaining
employment by someone who has experienced long-term mental distress and use of secondary mental
health services. The writer reflects on a hard fought journey to start paid work in the hope that readers
may understand this process for themselves and others in similar positions.
Findings – Key factors in the transition to employment are hard work, workplace support, specialist
vocational advice, individual determination and willing employers. Support needs to be flexible,
personalised, ongoing and sometimes intensive. Time is measured in years rather than months.
Practical implications – Theintegration of specialistvocational advice within mental health teams may
be an effective approach.
Research implications – Further researchinto the practical and psychological barriers to employment
for mental health service users, which may extend far beyond the more commonly studied stigma and
discrimination, would enhance existing knowledge of vocational rehabilitation.
Originality/value – Published testimonies from service users and survivors on their experiences
of entering employment for the first time are few in number. More such testimonies would help
understanding of this potentially complex process.
Keywords Individual placement and support, Vocational support, Recovery, Mental health problems,
Employment, Volunteering, Mental illness, Mental health services
Paper type Viewpoint
It is Friday and the end of a working week. I used to associate weekends with feeling lonely
and empty. Now weekends and bank holidays are precious free time when I go to the
theatre, see friends or choose to spend time alone.
Last October, eight months ago at the time of writing, I entered my first ‘‘proper’’ paid job.
I am 34 years old and work for a housing provider in an administrative role. I have thrived
in work, heard from colleagues that I am a great asset, a breath of fresh air and fabulous to
work with. My attendance record has been exemplary with only one and a half days off sick.
At the same time, I have needed to cover for sickness due to several colleagues’ serious
unforeseen illness. I prove that the risk of employing people with long-term mental health
issues is overestimated by employers who miss talent and dedication.
Struggles with mental distress
My success at work has followed significant emotional distress. I first saw a psychiatrist at
the age of 17 about my eating. I was diagnosed with anorexia and entered the mental health
system. Once professionals were monitoring my weight I focused more on attaining lower
numbers on the scale. I found comfort, control, achievement and outside concern through
restricting food. I did not think I had gone ‘‘far or low enough’’ to accept offers of help.
DOI 10.1108/20428301211281069 VOL. 16 NO. 4 2012, pp. 201-205, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTAL HEALTHAND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAGE 201
Alex Williams is a service
user based in
Tunbridge Wells, UK.
The author wishes to thank all
those who have played an
important part in her recovery
story and made these
achievements possible.
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