Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
4 Oct 2012
When Mental Health Week kicks off on Sunday, 7 October there will be plenty of reasons for Direct Employment, CatholicCare's government-funded program, to celebrate. In the past two years, Direct Employment has found full-time work for 190 men and women with mental illnesses and proved to employers that mental illness is no obstacle when it comes to finding the best person for a job.
"Mental illness is a broad term and covers anything from mild depression to someone who may have suffered a psychotic episode. But what many employers don't realise is that with medication and the right treatment these conditions are easily be managed. People with mental illness can not only be fully functional but among a company's hardest working and highest achievers," says Chrissie Potamianos, Area Manager for CatholicCare's Direct Employment program.
Working closely with local businesses and communities in Fairfield, Liverpool, Sutherland and Bankstown, Direct Employment places men and women with mental illnesses in full or part time work and into the sort of jobs they wanted. Direct Employment also ensures that the people for whom they find jobs not only receive the same wages and conditions as a business's other employees, but are judged on their abilities and skills, not their condition.
"One of things we need to overcome and eliminate is the stigma associated with mental illness. We want to make sure employers and society as a whole understand that having a mental illness does not stop someone from being a productive employee with much to offer and contribute," Chrissie says.
Over the past decade there has been a definite turnaround in the way mental illness is regarded in society. The age-old stigma attached to mental illness has begun to change thanks, in a large part, to a long line of politicians, authors, actors and other public figures speaking out about their battles with mental conditions ranging from bi-polar disorder to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and post traumatic syndrome.
One of the first to go public with his longterm struggle with depression was Garry McDonald, one of Australia's most admired and respected actors and the man who created TV's wonderfully gormless bumbling hero, Norman Gunston. McDonald not only talked openly about his battle with depression but continues to work tirelessly with SANE and similar organisations to change perceptions associated with mental illness.
"Let's face it, if they employed that sort of stigma in my business, I wouldn't have had a career," he says and insists it is important for businesses and other employers to understand that people with a mental illness can and do work and in many cases are the best candidate for the job.
Among international celebrities who have spoken out about their battle with bi-polar disorder are comedian Russell Brand, actor Robert Downey Jnr, crime-writer Patricia Cornwell, author-actress Carrie Fisher and Britain's intellectual commentator and host of QI, Stephen Fry. Among those who have gone public with their struggle with depression are actors Alec Baldwin, Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Ewan McGregor, singers Natalie Imbruglia and Beyonce Knowles and rock star Robbie Williams.
Australian politicians have also gone public about their bouts with severe depression. These include former NSW Premier, John Brogden, former WA Premier, Geoff Gallop and Shadow Minister for Finance, Andrew Robb. Last year, Andrew Robb wrote a book about his battle with depression. In launching the book, Black Dog Daze: Public Life Private Demons, the longtime Liberal politician claimed at least one in five of those currently serving in Federal Parliament in Canberra are on antidepressant medication.
Latest statistics reveal 20% of all Australian adults are affected by some form of mental disorder each year while almost half the population, or 45% will experience a mental disorder at some point during their lives.
"The person sitting next to you may well have a mental illness but they have learned to hide it so well you probably have no idea," Chrissie says.
One of the reasons many of those with a mental disorder keep this secret not only from work colleagues and acquaintances but from close friends and even family, is due to the stigma still attached to many of these illnesses. They are also fearful that if someone in their workplace found out they had a mental illness, they might not be considered for a promotion or at worst, lose their job entirely.
While attitudes are changing it is a slow process and Chrissie looks forward to the time when mental illness is regarded like any other illness.
CatholicCare's program of Direct Employment finds permanent and part time employment for those with disabilities which include people with physical disabilities, cognitive difficulties, conditions such as Down's syndrome as well as various forms of mental illness.
To have found jobs for 190 men and women with mental illnesses and the sort of jobs those they placed wanted, is no small feat particularly when Bankstown, Fairfield, Sutherland and Liverpool where the placements were made has unemployment levels that are double the national average.
Working in close collaboration with NSW Health, CatholicCare's Direct Employment program is currently being expanded to include St George where under a unique "co-location"system. Under this system, Direct Employment will join forces with clinicians at the St George Community Mental Health Service to help people find jobs of their choice.
The integration between employment and health treatment is a key factor in the success of gaining and sustaining long term employment, Chrissie says and cites international as well as national research studies which found employment played a vital role in the recovery process for those diagnosed with a mental illness.
For Chrissie and the rest of the CatholicCare team at Direct Employment one of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of their work is seeing how a job contributes to the growth, improved confidence and burgeoning self esteem of their clients, and the positive impact this has on their families and their lives.
Earning a salary and having a regular source of income also makes a big difference and gives them hope for the future, she says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
4 Oct 2012
Beloved as Norman Gunston and one of Australia's most respected actors, Garry McDonald has long struggled with depression
"Mental illness is a broad term and covers anything from mild depression to someone who may have suffered a psychotic episode. But what many employers don't realise is that with medication and the right treatment these conditions are easily be managed. People with mental illness can not only be fully functional but among a company's hardest working and highest achievers," says Chrissie Potamianos, Area Manager for CatholicCare's Direct Employment program.
Working closely with local businesses and communities in Fairfield, Liverpool, Sutherland and Bankstown, Direct Employment places men and women with mental illnesses in full or part time work and into the sort of jobs they wanted. Direct Employment also ensures that the people for whom they find jobs not only receive the same wages and conditions as a business's other employees, but are judged on their abilities and skills, not their condition.
"One of things we need to overcome and eliminate is the stigma associated with mental illness. We want to make sure employers and society as a whole understand that having a mental illness does not stop someone from being a productive employee with much to offer and contribute," Chrissie says.
Over the past decade there has been a definite turnaround in the way mental illness is regarded in society. The age-old stigma attached to mental illness has begun to change thanks, in a large part, to a long line of politicians, authors, actors and other public figures speaking out about their battles with mental conditions ranging from bi-polar disorder to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and post traumatic syndrome.
Almost one in two Australians will have some form of mental illness during their life
"Let's face it, if they employed that sort of stigma in my business, I wouldn't have had a career," he says and insists it is important for businesses and other employers to understand that people with a mental illness can and do work and in many cases are the best candidate for the job.
Among international celebrities who have spoken out about their battle with bi-polar disorder are comedian Russell Brand, actor Robert Downey Jnr, crime-writer Patricia Cornwell, author-actress Carrie Fisher and Britain's intellectual commentator and host of QI, Stephen Fry. Among those who have gone public with their struggle with depression are actors Alec Baldwin, Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Ewan McGregor, singers Natalie Imbruglia and Beyonce Knowles and rock star Robbie Williams.
Australian politicians have also gone public about their bouts with severe depression. These include former NSW Premier, John Brogden, former WA Premier, Geoff Gallop and Shadow Minister for Finance, Andrew Robb. Last year, Andrew Robb wrote a book about his battle with depression. In launching the book, Black Dog Daze: Public Life Private Demons, the longtime Liberal politician claimed at least one in five of those currently serving in Federal Parliament in Canberra are on antidepressant medication.
Author, actor, writer Carrie Fisher went public after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder
"The person sitting next to you may well have a mental illness but they have learned to hide it so well you probably have no idea," Chrissie says.
One of the reasons many of those with a mental disorder keep this secret not only from work colleagues and acquaintances but from close friends and even family, is due to the stigma still attached to many of these illnesses. They are also fearful that if someone in their workplace found out they had a mental illness, they might not be considered for a promotion or at worst, lose their job entirely.
While attitudes are changing it is a slow process and Chrissie looks forward to the time when mental illness is regarded like any other illness.
CatholicCare's program of Direct Employment finds permanent and part time employment for those with disabilities which include people with physical disabilities, cognitive difficulties, conditions such as Down's syndrome as well as various forms of mental illness.
To have found jobs for 190 men and women with mental illnesses and the sort of jobs those they placed wanted, is no small feat particularly when Bankstown, Fairfield, Sutherland and Liverpool where the placements were made has unemployment levels that are double the national average.
Federal Politician Andrew Robb wrote a book about his battle with depression
The integration between employment and health treatment is a key factor in the success of gaining and sustaining long term employment, Chrissie says and cites international as well as national research studies which found employment played a vital role in the recovery process for those diagnosed with a mental illness.
For Chrissie and the rest of the CatholicCare team at Direct Employment one of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of their work is seeing how a job contributes to the growth, improved confidence and burgeoning self esteem of their clients, and the positive impact this has on their families and their lives.
Earning a salary and having a regular source of income also makes a big difference and gives them hope for the future, she says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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