COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
Employment
In a survey of those with mental illness:
• 39% denied employment
• 34% forced to resign
• 69% unwilling to apply for job due to
fear of discrimination
(www.openmindsopendoors.com)
Employment
• Employment is a very important
element of recovery for those with
serious mental illness as a means of
economic support, as well as a
significant contributor to self-esteem.
Yet only 10-15% of those with severe
mental illnesses are in the workforce.
Employment
Stigma can lead to discrimination -
not getting a job or being turned down for
a promotion because of a mental illness,
addiction or co-occurring disorder –stigma is
wrong, but discrimination is ILLEGAL.
Employment
• It was only recently that questions about
an individual’s history of nervous
breakdowns were eliminated from
required applications for federal
Government jobs.
• Past alcohol/drug use and past history of
mental illness should be considered only
when relevant to the job.
Employment
• In 2000, an estimated 70% of people
needing treatment for drug or alcohol
disease were employed.
• More than 1 in 5 insured employees
believe they would face “negative
consequences” if they simply asked about
their coverage for treatment.
•Experts estimate that when someone tells a
prospective employer that he or she is in
recovery, 75% of the time they will not get
the job.
Employment & other issues
• Employees who voluntarily seek treatment
for addictive disorders or mental illness
are subject to discriminatory actions or
dismissal.
• People with drug convictions but no
current drug use face obstacles getting
student loans, grants, scholarships or
access to government training programs.
• People disabled as a result of their dual
diagnosis sometimes are not eligible for
SSDI and SSI.
10