title: Bridging the gap between dreams and realities related to employment and mental health: implications for policy and practice.
abstract: Access to valued resources, especially to employment and income, is a critical issue in community mental health. Appropriate public policy and services are needed to bridge the gap between dreams and realities related to employment for people with a serious mental health illness. This article reviews current literature in the area of employment and mental health, and describes the findings of a research study focusing on these issues in one community in Southern Ontario. This study used a participatory, action-oriented approach to understand the ideal employment situation for people with a serious mental health illness, and to explore the barriers preventing them from finding, getting, and keeping work. Concrete areas for action (generated by people with a serious mental health illness working with service providers in this field) are suggested in order to respond to employment barriers at various levels and to make employment a reality for people experiencing a serious mental health illness.
authors.affiliation: Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON.
authors.forename: Sundar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Purnima
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ochocka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011632:Public Assistance; D011936:Reality Testing; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014829:Vocational Education