Supported Employment Program

Capital Health's Supported Employment Program is an individualized program designed to assist people with a diagnosed mental illness in finding employment, working closely with both employees and employers to find solutions to vocational needs.

As one of the Regional Mental Health Program's Social and Vocational programs, Supported Employment offers the employees and employers a flexible work experience lasting anywhere from one day to six weeks. In this time the employer and team of job coaches and occupational therapists can assess the client's work skills.

Mental Illness and Work
The term Mental Illness covers a range of diagnoses, which include anxiety, depression, bipolar (formally known as manic depression) and psychosis, which includes schizophrenia.

In Canada, one in five people will suffer from a mental illness in their lifetime, but often due to stigma and their high level of functioning the general public is often unaware. With the correct job matching and support, people who have a mental illness can be successful employees in the work place.

All clients of the Supported Employment program are ready and willing to work and have stable mental health.

What resources are available?

• A contract is signed by the employer and Capital Health, stating that Capital Health is responsible for WCB and all liability issues
• The client is paid a training allowance through the Supported Employment program
• A job coach is available to provide on the job training as well as provide support to the client and employer when required

The goal of the Supported Employment program is to help those with mental illness find meaningful employment - if the client is successful in the work experience, and the employer feels that the client is suited to the position, the employer is encouraged to hire the client at a competitive wage.

Post-placement, ongoing support for the employer and the client is available after the client is hired by the employer. During and after the work experience education materials are available to the employer and co-workers (as appropriate) regarding mental health issues and working with mental health issues.

Contact Us
For more information about the Regional Mental Health Program's Supported Employment program, please call Capital Health Link 408-LINK (5465) or 1-866-408-LINK if you're outside the local dialing area.