Work and discrimination

Yes, NikNik, I watched the ABC program, which is why I am here.

Regarding stigmatization and discrimination, in my opinion the perception of employers and the public is a combination of what they gather about mental illness from various sources (including movies, news reports, books and magazines and their personal experience) but it is based on stereotypes created by the medical profession itself. These stereotypes are found in psychiatric textbooks that describe the "typical' features of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder etc. The personality disorders in particular are an exercise in stereotype creation.

The mental illness labels that were created by the medical profession have found their way into the common vernacular, where they are used as terms of abuse (like "schizo") but there is a far longer history, across cultures, of calling opponents mad when you strongly disagree with them. Every judgement of madness pits the belief system of the diagnoser/labeller against the belief system of the diagnosed/labelled.

When employers know that a person has been diagnosed by the experts with a mental illness, the actions of the employee are seen through this perspective henceforth. It is the same with family members and friends. It is common, though, for doctors to disagree with each other about what diagnosis a person has, or indeed whether the person is mentally ill at all, since the criteria for diagnosis are subjective. Different people think different things are "mad" or "crazy". Once you have raised the possibility that you might be mad in someones mind, confronting stigma is inevitable.

I am not sue if many idustries are employing people with mental health challenges. Is there a list smewhere of those who do. At least that way people with an MI could know which employers to target.

I cant find anything within the Disability Discrimination Commission or the Mental health Commission websites that even discusses it.

Maybe positive discrimination is the only way people with MI will be employed. Perhaps the peak bodies for mental health should raise it at a Government level. There are other geoups that benefit from positive discrimination, why not mental health?

Thanks Sandy.

I get that some employers would not be adverse to employing people but many will simply not do it. So no wonder people are reluctant to disclose a disorder.

Advocating the recognition of the value of lived experienced is a great aspiration.

It would be nice to see some positive movement in participation rates for MI people in the workforce. The participation rates for people with a disability is dismal, for those with MI probably even worse.

It is to be hoped that all of the advocacy going on and the resources putting our case forward bear fruit.

Having said all that, there are the large numbers of people already within the workforce with an MI, without their employers being aware of it.

They are making a valuable contribution on a day to day basis every bit as important and worthwhile as any other area of the workforce. Logically then, people who disclose their status should be able to make such a contribution as well.

However MI people are lucky in the breadth, energy and professionalism of the advocacy groups representing them seeking change. The trick in my view is to push the Government into adopting policies that make a meaningful difference separate to all of the work being done by Mental Health advocacy groups.