Call for submissions on mental illness and work

25 October 2011

A parliamentary inquiry into the workforce participation by people with a mental illness is now taking public submissions.

The inquiry, which is being conducted by the Family and Community Development Committee, was initiated to enhance workforce participation for Victorians with a mental illness.

Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said the inquiry aims to help make it easier for people with a mental illness to participate fully in the community.

“People with a mental illness face a range of challenges that often makes it harder for them to secure and hold down a job, with many facing discrimination,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The Victorian Government aims to significantly increase the employment rate of people with a mental illness. To help reach this goal the committee is considering:

1. evidence of the low rate of workforce participation of people with mental illness and the social and economic costs involved
2. identification of the barriers that people with mental illness experience in gaining and
   retaining employment
3. the respective roles of, and collaboration between, local, state and Commonwealth
   governments, business and community organisations in supporting the workforce
   participation of people with mental illness
4. the effectiveness of programs that aim to improve the workforce participation of people with mental illness, including best practice models
5. opportunities for tailoring education and vocational training for the needs of people with mental illness
6. effective measures to support employers to recruit, employ and retain people with mental illness
7. the role of mental health services, and general health and community services, in
   improving the workforce participation of people with mental illness.
   

Submissions are due by 11 November 2011, although extensions may be granted to ensure
that individuals and organisations have an opportunity to provide their views to the Victorian
Parliament.

Further information

For further details on the inquiry, visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc or phone (03) 8682 2843.