Abstract
Introduction and Aims
Mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent within the UK population. Previous research demonstrates that employers have stigmatised attitudes towards candidates and employees with mental health conditions; and employees are often fearful to disclose their mental health status for fear of discrimination, despite protective disability legislation being in place. However, employment and volunteering have many mental health benefits in comparison to unemployment which generally has a negative impact on mental health. Mental health support workers make an important contribution towards the recovery of mental health service users by encouraging them to participate and volunteer in their community and supporting the move into employment. Despite their important role, little research has explored mental health support workers’ views. Therefore, this research investigated mental health support workers’ views and experiences of the impact of employability and volunteering for people with mental health conditions.
Methods
Qualitative project where 6 mental health support workers from a Scottish mental health charity participated in individual semi-structured interviews exploring topics such as barriers to employment, how people can best be supported to stay in employment, and the opportunities and challenges of volunteering and employment. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed then analysed by way of thematic analysis.
Results
Three main themes were identified: “Social relationships”; “Employment and volunteering has meaning” (sub-themes: “A sense of purpose and routine” and “Confidence in self”); and “Employers’ attitudes determine the mental health impacts” (sub-themes: “Good employment is good for you” and “Ignorance to mental health isn’t bliss”).
Discussion
These themes help to illustrate and understand the impact that employment and volunteering can have for someone with a mental health condition.
Mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent within the UK population. Previous research demonstrates that employers have stigmatised attitudes towards candidates and employees with mental health conditions; and employees are often fearful to disclose their mental health status for fear of discrimination, despite protective disability legislation being in place. However, employment and volunteering have many mental health benefits in comparison to unemployment which generally has a negative impact on mental health. Mental health support workers make an important contribution towards the recovery of mental health service users by encouraging them to participate and volunteer in their community and supporting the move into employment. Despite their important role, little research has explored mental health support workers’ views. Therefore, this research investigated mental health support workers’ views and experiences of the impact of employability and volunteering for people with mental health conditions.
Methods
Qualitative project where 6 mental health support workers from a Scottish mental health charity participated in individual semi-structured interviews exploring topics such as barriers to employment, how people can best be supported to stay in employment, and the opportunities and challenges of volunteering and employment. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed then analysed by way of thematic analysis.
Results
Three main themes were identified: “Social relationships”; “Employment and volunteering has meaning” (sub-themes: “A sense of purpose and routine” and “Confidence in self”); and “Employers’ attitudes determine the mental health impacts” (sub-themes: “Good employment is good for you” and “Ignorance to mental health isn’t bliss”).
Discussion
These themes help to illustrate and understand the impact that employment and volunteering can have for someone with a mental health condition.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 29 Oct 2019 |
| Event | NRS Mental Health Network Annual Scientific Meeting 2019 : Lost in Translation? Bringing Research Evidence to Practice & Policy - University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 29 Oct 2019 → … https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/nrs-mental-health-network-annual-scientific-meeting-2019/ |
Conference
| Conference | NRS Mental Health Network Annual Scientific Meeting 2019 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Glasgow |
| Period | 29/10/19 → … |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Mental health
- Stigma
- Employment
- Inclusion
