News

Wesley Mission has called for an end to discrimination in the workplace, more flexible employment opportunities and increased funding for community based care as part of a 21-point reform plan to address the major issues impacting people with mental illness.

The blueprint is contained in a report launched in Sydney today and is the result of a six month research project into one of Australia’s most pervasive health and social issues.

The prevalence and impact of mental health in the community was much higher than expected with more than eight in ten Australians (85 per cent) having either experienced mental illness or been exposed to it through family or friends. 

The Wesley Report - part of Wesley Mission’s Report series - also found that 36 percent of respondents reported having a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness – much higher than the often quoted figure of 20 per cent.

“Mental illness remains a taboo subject for many people although it touches the lives of most Australians,” the Superintendent of Wesley Mission the Rev Keith Garner said.

“The far reaching effects of mental illness in our community require governments, the community sector, and corporates to provide seamless and connected care and support.”

Some of the key recommendations in the Wesley Report include:

• Tax incentives, wage replacement schemes and other financial support for employers to provide more flexible transition into work for people suffering from mental illness
• Flexibility by employers in regard to hours worked, timing of work and workload to take account of the episodic nature of mental illness.
• The release of unspent funds from the Job Network and Work for the Dole to an uncapped support programme (PSP) for those with mental illness.
• Flexible and diverse models of support rather than a “one size fits all” model.
• The co-location of mental health support and vocational services to improve clinical and employment outcomes of participants through collaboration.
• The development of government “one stop” shops that combine provision of supported accommodation along with services in health, community, education and employment.

Living with Mental Illness: Attitudes, Experiences and Challenges looked at awareness of and exposure to mental illness in Australia and community attitudes to people with a mental illness involving more than 600 participants. 

The reported level of trust in someone in a position of high responsibility was lower for illnesses such as schizophrenia (18 per cent) and bipolar (25 per cent) compared to illnesses that have received more public exposure such as depression, reflecting the lower public awareness of both these illnesses.

“Despite much public discussion and the advocacy of high profile figures sharing their personal experiences in the public domain, there is still a clear reluctance in the community to trust individuals with a mental illness in decision-making roles or in roles where reliability is paramount,” the Rev Keith Garner said.

Mr Garner said Wesley Mission staff had reported that their clients were often subjected to discrimination, social exclusion and negative attitudes.

“Wesley Mission believes the issue of stigma in the workplace needs urgent attention and recommends amending existing employment legislation to include sufferers of certain mental illnesses. Active measures should be taken to bring people with certain mental illnesses into the workplace, potentially including positive discrimination,” he said.

“We support the Mental Health Council of Australia in recommending the implementation of a National Mental Health Employment Strategy. We also recommend the establishment of a national work experience program for people with a mental illness.

“The Commonwealth Government has shown leadership through COAG initiatives to the funding of mental health services and greater community understanding. But despite the progress made in some areas, it is clear that further education and support is needed, particularly in the case of the less understood illnesses.”

Graeme Cole
Public Affairs Manager
Ph: 02 9263-5350   
Mobile: 0408 470 722

Linda Barclay
Public Affairs Officer  
Ph: 02 9263-5509   
Mobile: 0434 076 642