Employment is essential not only for financial stability but also for overall well-being, social participation and a sense of purpose. Yet, many people with mental health challenges face significant barriers to entering the workforce.
Because of barriers like anxiety, insomnia, homelessness, incarceration and financial restraints people with mental health challenges in the United States are three times more likely to be unemployed than those without. There are vocational rehabilitation programs, peer support services and supported employment services that help with those facing employment barriers.
However, there is a great need to increase the public’s awareness of these issues, improve the attitudinal environment in the workplace and make work accommodations for psychiatric disabilities available and accessible.
As part of a project to raise awareness about this issue, I organized a photo exhibit last year exploring employment participation through the lens of people with lived experience of mental illness. The exhibit showcased several photos — and the stories behind them — from a recent photovoice study in collaboration with the organization Prosumers and was on view at multiple locations in San Antonio, including the Briscoe Library of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Tobin Library at Oakwell and Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center.
As part of the advocacy effort associated with the photo exhibit, an online survey was conducted to learn about exhibit viewers’ attitudes toward mental illness in the workplace. This online survey was also circulated via social media.
Preliminary data analysis based on more than 100 volunteer respondents has shown survey respondents with higher levels of education had lower negative stereotypes about mental illness in the workplace, male respondents had higher levels of negative stereotypes compared to female respondents, respondents who were older in age had more negative views about mental illness in the workplace than younger respondents and respondents who knew someone with a disability had a more positive outlook on recovery and treatment outcomes about mental illness. Lower levels of negative stereotypes in the workplace were found among those who reported that someone close to them has a disability and those who reported having a psychiatric disability themselves.
We also compared the attitudes of those who attended the photo exhibit events as opposed to those who did not. The results showed that those who attended the photo exhibits scored significantly lower in negative stereotypes about mental illness in the workplace. This indicates that exposure to educational initiatives, such as the photo exhibit events, may play a crucial role in reducing stigma toward mental illness.
Our current findings suggest the importance of school and community education in addressing misconceptions about mental health challenges and promoting workplace inclusion. Promoting education and raising awareness of this topic can break the stigma surrounding mental illness in the workplace. By addressing stigma and improving access to employment, the San Antonio community can create a more inclusive future for individuals with mental health challenges, fostering recovery and stability for all.
The above online survey about mental illness in the workplace remains open until the targeted sample size is reached. Readers who missed the in-person photo exhibit events can still virtually view the photos and their stories at this webpage, which contains a link to participate in the online survey.
