|
Fearing discrimination, they struggle over whether or not to declare their condition
Largely misunderstood, under-represented, and lacking in support in their job hunt.
That is how Straits Times reader Lynette Enoch feels about the situation faced by the mentally ill. Last week, she wrote to ST’s Forum to ask if there could be more help for them. “I know of graduates who can work but are unable
to find jobs because of their condition.
“Employers don’t understand aspects of mental illnesses and there still exists a stigma to it,” said Ms Enoch, who is in her mid-40s, and an active volunteer.
A mentally ill person has emotional or behavioural problems that need medical attention. Some are schizophrenic, depressed, or have eating disorders.
In 2008, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) treated 33,000 outpatients for disorders like schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
With proper medication and help, they can function normally, explained Ms Porsche Poh, a board member of the World Federation for Mental Health and executive director of Silver Ribbon (Singapore), a group that works on improving attitudes towards mental health.
“Employers are hesitant to accept them; some have doubts over whether they will need lots of medical leave and if they will relapse at the workplace,” she said.
Such hurdles mean groups like IMH’s Job Club and the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) have their work cut out. SAMH made 331 job placements last year while Job Club has found more than 500 job placings for IMH’s patients since its inception in 2008. Most of the jobs are entry-level positions in housekeeping, retail and food and beverage industries.
Simei Care Centre, set up by Singapore Anglican Community Services, has “inhouse” jobs for its resident and day-care patients “as a way to help them recover”, said its employment services manager Seah Soon Huat.
“The mentally ill may face discrimination and are fearful as they have not worked for a long time. Working at the centre acts as a transition for them,” he said.
Once patients are assessed as being ready for external employment, they are matched with the centre’s available pool of employers.
Horsburgh Engineering is one company that has been hiring mentally ill individuals for the last 10 years. Its director, Ms Sharon Kee, finds them loyal and hardworking.
“Society looks at them a certain way, but they really are normal, otherwise they would not have been released from IMH,” she said.
But the existing stigma means the mentally ill have a hard time deciding whether or not they should declare their condition.
A spokesman for SAMH said: “If they tell the employers, they are afraid that they might not get the job. If they don’t, they struggle with the guilt and encounter difficulties in taking leave to attend their medical appointments.”
Chief executive of recruitment firm Achieve Group, Mr Joshua Yim, thinks honesty is the best policy. “It’s a tricky situation but it always pays to reveal your condition and paint an understanding of what you’re going through.”
He said companies can dismiss employees who lie on their application forms.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (Tafep) have not received complaints of hiring discrimination against the mentally ill last year and so far this year.
An MOM spokesman said: “In line with the principle of fair employment, employers are encouraged to treat employees fairly and with respect, and to adopt criteria relevant to the job when selecting potential employees.”
 HE IS EXTRA PATIENT WITH THEM
When a new staff member exhibited signs of depression a few weeks into his job at a cafe here, a phone call to his counsellor was made to find out why.
As it turned out, the person was upset about being delegated simple tasks as he is highly experienced in his line of work.
“I spoke to him and said he had been assigned such work so that he could teach the younger, inexperienced staff.
“That solved the problem,” said Mr Kenneth Mark Yong, 43, general manager of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe.
Such is the understanding and patience that those who hire mentally ill people will need to have.
The restaurant, which has 14 outlets islandwide, has hired eight mentally ill staff members in the last 21/2 years, Mr Yong said. Five are still on the company payroll; the other three have left for further studies but still maintain contact with him.
During the interview, Mr Yong was effusive about the eight and emphasised many times that they are normal people, “like you and me”. He exercises extra patience with them as various factors, such as medication problems, could result in “setbacks” for them.
When new staff members who are mentally ill join the restaurant, only the managers on the floor are aware of their condition. They are advised to give them some leeway and not to be too quick in firing them or giving them warning letters.
Besides hiring the mentally ill, the cafe also supports the Yellow Ribbon project, which helps former offenders regain acceptance in the community.
On why he hires the mentally ill, Mr Yong said: “Most are young. Listening to their cases, you realise that most were normal before their illness. It can happen to any of us. It’s not like they want to be like that.”
EASING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE
Mr Thomas Tan (not his real name) was a freelance graphic designer in the 1990s when schizophrenia struck him.
After seeking treatment at the Institute of Mental Health, the 30-year-old approached the IMH’s Job Club for help in getting a full-time job, and hence a stable income.
Naturally, he had concerns about re-entering the workforce.
“I was worried that the symptoms of my condition would affect my mood and ability to blend and interact with new people in the job and related contacts,” said Mr Tan.
Therefore, he specifically asked for a job that does not require him to have face-to-face interaction with customers.
The Job Club eventually found him work as a kitchenassistant at a fast-food chain.
But his concerns turned out to be unfounded as he was able to interact well with colleagues during his eight months there.
Only his supervisor knew about his condition.
When Mr Tan felt well enough, he decided to return to a previous workplace as a retail assistant, where no one knew about his medical condition.
“I decided not to declare it because I preferred my employers to treat me like a normal employee,” he said.
Today, Mr Tan plays an active role in staying mentally healthy by taking medication, maintaining a healthy diet, having regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
FIND OUT MORE
w Tafep
Tel: 6838-0969 (for matters related to workplace discrimination)
w The Job Club
www.jobclub.sg
w Simei Care Centre
www.sacs.org.sg/scc.htm
w Singapore Association for Mental Health
www.samhealth.org.sg
w Silver Ribbon Project (Singapore)
www.silverribbon singapore.com
|