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Unemployment is one of many factors that influence health. Other factors like housing, income and a lack of social support also have a huge impact on overall well-being. It's easy to see how these factors are related. Unemployment can lead to a low income, which can lead to poor housing, which can change social networks, which can limit access to social supports, and so on.
Positive changes—like meaningful employment—can help add to a livable income, decent housing and good social support. These can help promote health and well-being, improve self-esteem, and give people a sense of purpose and identity. For people living with a mental illness, employment may even help promote recovery. And studies show that people living with a substance use problem are more likely to seek help when they're employed. Finding meaningful employment won't solve all problems, but it's a very important part of the bigger picture for many people.
This info sheet focuses on employment, but permanent full-time paid work may not be a goal for everyone—and that’s okay. Everyone's end goal and journey to wellness is unique. This is why conversations around the role of meaningful volunteer work as well as disability income and other income assistance should happen alongside conversations around employment. For more on income assistance, find the infosheet When You Can't Work at www.heretohelp.bc.ca.
When employment isn't good for well-being
We also know that not all jobs are good jobs—and not all jobs or workplaces are good for our well-being. The quality and stability of work is very important. People living with mental illnesses are often left with minimum-wage jobs that offer fewer benefits and little job security, and may only have part-time, temporary or contract work. These types of jobs offer fewer opportunities to advance and are at particularly high risk of layoffs as the economy changes. In fact, having unstable employment can be as harmful to mental health as being out of work. Stigma and discrimination can occur in workplaces, which also harms mental health and well-being.
A look at different employment programs
Someone with a mental illness or substance use problem may need more support than a person without a disability may need when applying for and keeping a job. Many community organizations and agencies offer employment programs to meet those needs. Some offer unpaid work and focus on building skills and experience. Others offer paid positions and focus on securing permanent mainstream work. Some community employment programs help cover costs like training or transit costs. Here are a few examples that you might find in your community:
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Unpaid work experience or job trials—Short, unpaid job placements in an area that interests you or that help you meet people in your industry. Job trials may help you gain current work experience and practice your skills. They may also be a good way to see if you’re ready to go back to work.
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Transitional employment—A series of different jobs that move from short-term, entry-level positions to a long-term job in a field that interests you. This may be a particularly good option for people that don't have a lot of job experience or people who haven't been in the workforce for a long time. Transitional employment contracts are often held by an organization, who employ workers to complete different tasks or contracts.
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Supported employment—A permanent, mainstream job with access to extra support if you need it. Supported employment believes that anyone can do meaningful work.
Volunteer work
Volunteering can be a good first step for some. Unpaid positions may help you explore different kinds of work, refresh your job skills, build networks, and boost your resume.
"I recently found out about the Links to Employment program while I was a resident at a treatment center for substance use. They helped me to turn my challenges into strengths. They managed to find opportunities and bring them to me so that I didn't have to go looking for them. I wouldn't have known where to start. Within a short time I accomplished goals I never realistically believed I would ever even attempt." —Levi
Navigating employment
Many people worry about work when they're managing a mental illness or substance use problem. In BC, mental illnesses and substance use disorders are considered disabilities, which means there are legal protections against discrimination. If you tell your workplace that you have a disability (this process is called disclosure), they are obligated to work with you to make reasonable changes called accommodations that help you work your best. Examples of these accommodations include moving to a desk in a quieter area or adjusting your work hours so you can attend medical appointments. There are benefits and potential risks to disclosure, so you will have to think about your own situation. For example, disclosing can secure supports that allow you work well, but some employers, even though it's not legally allowed, have made work life more difficult for employees who have disclosed a disability. Union members may have access to additional help in navigating disclosure.
Here are some useful resources:
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Disclosing Your Disability: A Legal Guide for People with Disabilities in BC from Disability Alliance BC at disabilityalliancebc.org/disclosureguide/
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Human Rights in BC from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner at bchumanrights.ca/human-rights/human-rights-in-bc/
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Workplace: Disclosure and Accommodations and How’s Work? Life in the Workplace issues of Visions Journal at www.heretohelp.bc.ca/visions
Why are some people with mental illnesses and former substance use problems unemployed?
Unemployment and mental health and substance use problems are deeply intertwined: not having a livable income leaves you more likely to develop a mental illness or substance use problem, and having a mental health or substance use problem makes you more likely to have challenges finding paid work.
Lack of access to, or interruptions in, education or training: Mental illnesses and substance use problems may affect older youth and young adults around the time they finish high school and start post-secondary education, and they may not have education or certifications they need. In a study of people living with schizophrenia, finishing high school was the largest predictor of future employment.
System-wide issues transitioning from income support: The move from government assistance to paid work can be complicated. While income assistance programs may allow people to earn some additional income, people worry about keeping income assistance if they seek more work. At the same time, people who receive income assistance and want to move to paid work may be pressured to accept any job—even if it's a poor job—instead of a job that fits their needs.
Stigma and discrimination: Some employers may be reluctant to hire people living with a mental illness or people with a former substance use problem. Even people who used to use substances may have a hard time because of stigma or discrimination. Low expectations of people who experience a mental illness or substance use problems can also add a lot of barriers to employment.
Where do I go from here?
If you or someone you love is interested in seeking employment, the following organizations are a great place to start. As resources vary by community, look up local mental health organizations in your area or talk to your mental health care team for information about local programs or services.
WorkBC
Visit www.workbc.ca/plan-career/resources/people-disabilities for helpful information about exploring career options, finding a job, and upgrading your skills.
Disability Alliance BC
Disability Alliance BC's Advocacy Access programs helps people navigate disability supports and access Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers to Employment (PPMB), or Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) assistance and appeal denials. You can also find a number of help sheets to help you navigate provincial and federal disability income assistance. Visit disabilityalliancebc.org.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Visit www.gov.bc.ca for information on assistance programs, employment programs, help for people with disabilities, fact sheets and other publications.
Open Door Group
Visit www.opendoorgroup.org or call 1-866-377-3670 for more information about training, education and job placement services for British Columbia residents living with disabilities.
Foundry Work & Education Program
Visit foundrybc.ca/get-support/foundryworks/ to learn more about Foundry's supported employment and education program. It's available to people in BC ages 12-24 and you can participate in person at Foundry centres or online across BC.
Clubhouses
Clubhouses are centres that provide a wide range of supports for people with a mental illness. Many clubhouses offer employment training and work opportunities. Contact your local clubhouse to learn more about their programs. You can find a directory of clubhouses at clubhouse-intl.org/what-we-do/international-directory/.
About the author
The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing a mental illness through public education, community-based research, advocacy, and direct services. Visit www.cmha.bc.ca.
