Mental health consumers and employment opportunities

Mental health consumers experience significantly high rates of unemployment compared with the general population. A qualitative study was conducted to identify the key barriers hindering employment opportunities. Evidence from this research suggests many barriers to employment, including stigma, lack of social support networks, low-levels of educational attainment and vocational experience, lack of meaningful employment opportunities, lack of vocational training and overall lack of awareness about programs and services available to provide vocational rehabilitation and support. Major findings include the significant impact of level of awareness mental health consumers have with respect to vocational program and service availability and the importance of strong social support networks as a key to successful employment outcomes. This study concludes that a strategy needs to be implemented by decision makers aimed at increasing awareness among mental health consumers through the centralization of information within the different mental health organizations in Vancouver.