As an occupational therapist, I've had the opportunity to work with people with mental health challenges who are eager to work. I quickly realized that integrating into the workplace is difficult for them, not so much because of the individual, but because mainstream work environments aren't adapted to their differences.
Wanting to dig deeper, I undertook a master's degree on the support provided by employers, particularly in social enterprises.
Ironically, while I was trying to understand, I myself stepped through the looking glass and experienced mental health challenges. I then felt the same as my patients, which was not so much difficulty starting new jobs, but difficulty maintaining them.
Except at Innova, an exemplary social enterprise, which welcomed and cherished my difference.
During my career path, I had the chance to discover other unique journeys, including that of Sonia, who is unemployed; Maxence, who is enrolled in the Quebec government's PAAS-Action program; Emmanuel, who works in a mental health organization; and Noémie, who works in the same social enterprise as me.
I invite you to understand and reflect on their journey, even to “experience” it through my writing.
Please note that the first names used in the article are fictitious.
To be unemployed
Sonia is unemployed and has never worked. She studied in Pakistan but did not graduate because she developed mental health problems. Ten years ago, she attempted to return to school in Canada, but was unsuccessful because her cognitive abilities, particularly her memory and comprehension skills, were poor.
Sonia would like to study and work, but she wonders if this is part of her future. Her mental health problem is blocking this plan and limiting her goals.
Sonia believes that only God knows the future, and it is in this context that she prays that her future will live up to her talent and ambitions. Prayer is therefore a source of comfort for her.
Paradoxically, Sonia does not feel free: "I think I'm in a cage."
Since her professional situation has been and remains difficult, Sonia prefers to invest in hobbies and cherishes the dream of having a child.
Be registered in the Quebec government's PAAS-Action program
Maxence is enrolled in a PAAS-Action program run by the Quebec government. In exchange for predefined tasks, the person receives a transportation allowance, as well as $130 per month, in addition to social assistance. The program is open-ended and must be renewed annually.
Maxence is a columnist for the magazine Mentalité, a journal of the mental health organization l' Échelon . He sometimes finds it difficult to juggle writing articles and receiving care, which disrupts his career path.
According to Maxence, the PAAS-Action program respects the participants' pace. There are breaks and activities; it's not just work monitoring. Alternative activities help with productivity, improve skills, and provide the individual with a methodology. For example, there are grammar classes, reading assistance, as well as writing and poetry activities.
Maxence appreciates this variety, but he is aware that the PAAS-Action program is not the employment structure that provides the most autonomy or the most money.
Maxence is unsure about his career future. He's wondering if he'll ever get a job in the regular job market. If he does, he wants to be reassured that it will be a job that suits him. He's afraid of staying in a job for a very short period and burning out, as this is what he's experienced in the past.
He prefers to take things one at a time and doesn't want to overload himself too much. He prefers to concentrate on his current work.
However, he can't help but dream of one day creating comics, being talented in both drawing and writing.
In short, Maxence asserts that in Quebec, if you ask, you receive services that can help you improve. He believes that work integration services are already well established and does not believe they need to be improved excessively.
Certainly, "When you reach a new stage, you are proud." But Maxence does not conceptualize employment paths in a linear way.
"In our life experience, we spend our time going backwards. You go backwards, but you also make improvements. You shouldn't stop at the backwards. You go backwards while improving."
Working in a mental health organization
Emmanuel was on welfare for a long time. At 18, he didn't have a mental health diagnosis, but he wasn't doing very well. He was using drugs. He lived in an apartment for a while until he experienced psychosis.
He then lived in a group home at the Échelon house. He completed a DEP in computer graphics as well as another DEP in photography, before becoming a columnist for the Échelon day center .
Emmanuel subsequently became editor-in-chief of the magazine Mentalité, a position that required several responsibilities. He was responsible for managing the magazine while continuing to write articles and develop the layout.
Having a so-called regular job has greatly improved his self-confidence. At first, he was nervous, but after two months of trying out, he found that his integration was going well. Having known Échelon for a long time, he didn't have to adapt to a new work environment.
The adaptation consists mainly of an increase in working hours and an addition of tasks, such as preparing workshops and performing clerical tasks.
"I love my job. On Fridays, I'm happy to leave, but on Sunday evenings, I can't wait to come and see my people."
The host family he lives with has helped him a lot with structure and a schedule. He doesn't need to worry about his meals, and they motivate him to do his work. Otherwise, in his independent apartment, he spent his time playing video games.
Emmanuel particularly enjoys the human aspect of his job and interacting with the columnists. However, he doesn't like calling the magazine about renewals. Generally, the people he speaks to on the phone don't have mental health issues, which makes him nervous.
Regarding his professional future, he wishes to stay at the day center of the Échelon house as long as possible.
He fully agrees that society should do more to encourage inclusion in regular businesses. The opposite, he says, is stigmatization. Whether or not mental health issues are disclosed is a matter of individual choice.
Emmanuel believes that the work integration contract (CIT) is a good accommodation measure. Since the salary is partially subsidized by the government, the employer can offer a schedule that better suits the individual.
Furthermore, some people choose not to leave the "mental health cocoon." They fear making the leap into the job market because they fear losing the social assistance amount corresponding to severe employment constraints. Emmanuel argues that the Quebec government should help people with mental health challenges take calculated risks. In other words, give them a safety cushion so they dare to go further in the work sphere.
Working in a social enterprise
Noémie is passionate about her work and has always burned the candle at both ends. She has suffered from depression and burnout, often leading her to change jobs. She has received help from various mental health organizations, including Arrimage, which has been very helpful for her.
She has now been working for a social enterprise for seven years. Having experienced personal difficulties and struggling to manage her emotions, Noémie has been able to count on the unwavering support of her employment advisor at Arrimage.
Previously, she felt like quitting a few times, having difficulty with authority and sometimes feeling persecuted. But over time, she gained confidence in her work. Her bosses listened to her, and she feels privileged as a result.
She works two days a week, in addition to receiving government benefits.
According to Noémie, her job at the social enterprise is a situation of inclusion. There are people with mental health issues, as well as those without a mental health diagnosis. However, she doesn't feel completely included when she feels like what she's saying isn't interesting and feels excluded from employees who don't have a diagnosis.
On the other hand, Noémie really likes the fact that the social enterprise celebrates employee birthdays and makes an effort to create a pleasant work environment. She's grateful that her job allows her to meet many different people. She can thus benefit from their intellect and experiences.
However, she would like to have more time to interact in depth with her colleagues. Furthermore, she would like more professional challenges, including more variety and responsibility in her tasks.
Looking ahead, Noémie wants to continue working at the social enterprise. She might like to add a third or fourth day , but she's afraid to do so because she thinks she might lose her pension.
Conclusion
In short, Maxence, Emmanuel, Noémie and I have found environments that are adapted to our psychological and emotional differences, as well as our great sensitivity.
Only Sonia feels limited professionally.
These environments are highly valuable. I believe there should be more PAAS-Action programs, more mental health organizations, and more social enterprises, especially in a context of labor shortages and considering the great creative power of people with mental health challenges.
Not only is it beneficial for Quebecers for the government to continue funding these employment structures, but so-called regular businesses would do well to draw inspiration from social enterprises.
Instead of having the sole mission of maximizing profits, why couldn't regular businesses use their economic mission to serve a social mission, such as the integration of marginalized people into employment?