EVEN in good times, job opportunities do not come easily for those suffering from mental illness, which is often stigmatised in the workplace.
But in the past few months, their job prospects have been hit further. They must compete with the recently retrenched, and companies have fewer jobs to offer.
However, at least three organisations here have made it a point to lend a helping hand. The Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), the Tze Hng Wellness Studio and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) are working with potential employers to find work for the mentally ill.
Next Monday, IMH will launch its latest rehabilitation programme, under which patients will undergo a three-month training stint at the hospital's Secret Recipe cafe. They will learn food-preparation and customer-service skills, earning $3 an hour. They will be guided by an occupational therapist or therapy assistant.
Hard at work too are staff at Bukit Gombak Group Homes, run by the SAMH. Executive director Rajeswari K. is having a hard time finding firms able to offer large contracts for simple jobs such as product assembly or packing. She fears 'the situation will get bleaker after Chinese New Year'.
Some, like social worker Helen Yong, 47, help to secure short- term or odd jobs. She said: 'They (patients) now have to compete with the elderly and foreigners.'
Staff are even making cold calls to firms to get jobs for their residents - recovering mental patients who are unable to live with their families. They ask the firms to 'give these people a chance' and help to coach job seekers.
- The Straits Times
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