SE-SURG

South Essex Service User Research Group

Employment - what's it got to do with mental health?

Our claim to fame!

Still dreaming: Service users’ employment , education & training goals

The South Essex Service User Research Group (SE-SURG), Jenny Secker, & Leslie Gelling

Journal of Mental Health, February 2006

Influencing Employment Strategy in South Essex

A Service User Research Project

Service users' employment goals and needs - a service user research project

The survey

Different perspectives researchers

respondent

administrator

Aim

To inform the development of vocational services in South Essex by ascertaining service users’ employment, education and training goals.

Method

• Face to face interviews• Postal questionnaires

Results

82 face to face interviews

159 responses to postal questionnaire

• 43% - no regular daytime activity• 15% - in paid work

• 61% - interested in finding work

• 77% - of those interested in working receiving no vocational

support

Perceived Barriers to Work

• Employers’ attitudes• Threat to benefits

All identified multiple barriers

• Lack of skills• Health problems• Lack of work experience• Insufficient support• Age• Fear mental health services will be withdrawn• Stigma-attitudes of public & colleagues & fear of disclosure

Conclusions & Recommendations

• High numbers of mental health service users are interested in pursuing employment, education or training goals but lack the support they need to do so

• Implementation of an evidence based approach to employment support has the potential to enable service users to attain their goals

Further OutcomesService users are able to undertake such research with considerable benefits for themselves and other stakeholders

Added value for

• Participants• Commissioners• Service User Researchers

– gained insight and understanding– broadened knowledge and skills– increased confidence and self esteem – financial reward– CV– employment outcomes

SE-SURG

South Essex Service User Research Group