Finding and Maintaining Employment
One of the biggest challenges for people with a mental illness is finding and maintaining employment. Sometimes people with mental illness take some time off work to focus on getting well again. Some people may only need a few weeks others may need months even years. For those who are out of work for a long time may struggle with social isolation and a reduced income. This can damage their self worth and independence which can have a further impact on their mental health.
Why work?
For all of us having a job is linked to our confidence and how we see ourselves and how we contribute to society. For many people, work provides them with a sense of purpose and helps them focus on things other than their illness. It’s a reminder that although having a mental illness is very challenging, they are still active and capable people. Work also re-establishes a sense of self beyond that of someone affected by mental illness.
Employment is one of the most effective ways for people to recover. Employment provides people with income and sense of independence which is the best thing to help people recover from their mental illness. However, an essential part of being a valued employee is being able to manage your symptoms and that you are understood and supported by your work colleagues and managers.
What about support?
Think about what support you think you might need to return to work, such as having your Employment Specialist who understands your illness to be able to help advocate for you. You may also like having flexible work hours to attend appointments such as counselling or the opportunity to work part-time. It’s important to remember that the degree of your mental illness determines what’s possible and realistic when considering a return to work. Some people may only need to make small changes, while others may need to have significant workplace adjustments. For example, you may need to arrange for a later start time if you find that medication makes it harder for you to get going in the morning.
How can Work Opportunities help me with maintaining employment?
Our aim is to work towards independence with natural supports in place in your work and home lives. Work Opportunities is a resource to help you reach this goal by working together. When you have secured employment we will discuss your individual support needs with you and your employer. Work Opportunities can identify support for you in the workplace. or work out ways to deal with potentially stressful situations. Support is often what you require to sustain your employment during those times when it becomes more challenging this can be due to work related or external factors. Having regular contact with your employment specialist often these challenges can be discussed and resolved before there is an impact on your health and/or employment .
Challenges can include:
Medication changes which may impact on you that could be noticed by your employer or colleagues such as seeming tired or emotional.
Changes in personal circumstances resulting in higher stress levels.
Accommodation and changes in accommodation that can impact on your daily life and employment.
Colleagues in the work place, some of whom may have their own challenges and by being in regular contract with your employment specialist gives an independent perspective on the situation.
These challenges may seem scary or too hard to deal with but they are not. We are here to support you with any issues that may arise. You will be getting assistance on and off the job to remain successfully employed. Supported employment means ongoing support.
Tips and Tricks for helping maintain employment
Be positive
• Maintain a positive attitude and ethic to work.
• See yourself as a valued employee.
• View bad days as something that everyone has from time to time.
• Practice good ‘employee attributes’ (listening skills, honesty, organised, happy, optimistic, intelligent, communicative, friendly, respectful).
Be relationship-focused
• The relationship between an employee and employer is pivotal to positive and successful employment.
• Be open and honest with your employer.
• Communicate any issues and the support you require to your employer in a timely manner.
Persevere
• Positive and successful employment for most people involves employers that value a friendly, respectful, communicative work environment, with a culture of flexibility, inclusion and diversity. It may take time, effort, trial and error to find, but persevere.
Such employers do exist and it is well worth finding them, in terms of job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.
