Policy and Politics for Supported Employment: the case of Ireland

Shari McDaid, Ph.D.Policy Officer, Mental Health Reform

Mental Health ReformMental Health Reform is the national coalition of organisations working to improve mental health

services and achieve implementation of the Government’s mental health policy

A Vision for Change

Mental Health Reform• 33 member organisations• Mental health NGOs• Professional associations• Homelessness and housing NGOs• Training providers• Peer-led organisations• Human rights and advocacy NGOs

Mental Health Reform

Our goal is for an Ireland where people with mental health difficulties can recover their well-being and live a full life in their community.

Our workWe …• Unite• Inform• Advocate

Inform on best practice in mental health

A Picture of Ireland• 4.6 million people• 600,000 people with a disability (13% of the

population)• 96,000 people with a mental health disability

(2.1% of the population)

Employment and mental health difficulties in Ireland

9 times more likely to be out of the labour force More than 20% of those on Disability Allowance Adults more likely to have left their job due to

their mental health disability than other disabilities

Face prejudice and discrimination

Increasing public concern?“Disability benefit expansion adds to workless underclass” (Dan O’Brien, The Irish Times 25/1/2013)

“Mystery of massive rise in those quitting workforce on disability” (David McWilliams, Irish Independent 3/4/2013)

Mental Health Policy• Deinstitutionalisation since 1960’s• Planning for the Future 1984• A Vision for Change 2006• National Economic and Social Forum report

2007• Report of the Mental Health, Employment and

Training Consultative Forum 2007

Employment policy for people with disabilities

• Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities (1996)

• Employment Equality Act 1998• WRC Comprehensive Employment Strategy

report (2006)• Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Sectoral Plan (2005)• National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan

Implementation• FÁS Supported Employment programme• Employability West Cork• DETECT project – employment of a job coach within

a mental health team

Advocacy• IASE advocacy to Government• National Disability Strategy Disability Stakeholders Group• DETE National Consultative Forum• Amnesty International Ireland seminar• Amnesty/Mental Health Reform Briefing Paper• NDA seminar

Conclusion• Policy to underpin implementation of the IPS

model exists• No specific Government commitment• No clear lead Department• No effective cross-departmental structure• Low priority within economic crisis

Discussion

Questions, Comments & Answers