"Guest Column: Embrace Diversity - Give individuals with mental illness a chance at employment", 14 Jul 2014

The rewards associated with employment are the same for individuals with mental illness as for those without...[I]ndividuals with mental illness have the highest unemployment rate of any group of disabilities, despite a desire and a capacity to work...but are denied the opportunity due to the stigma associated with mental illness...Finding employment boosts self-esteem...[and] can allow individuals to escape poverty...Most of the time, the biggest barrier to employment is the employer's misconceptions about mental health conditions...Choosing to employ an individual with mental illness...makes for a solid business case...[E]mploying individuals with disabilities can help move your company forward. Where there is a shortage of employees, especially to meet seasonal needs, employing people with disabilities is a great choice...Combating myths and stereotypes is an important step in creating a more accepting environment for those living with mental illness...