Employment as therapy: Coast Mental Health expands program

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The next time you see a worker cleaning graffiti off the side of a building, it could be someone taking part in some much-needed therapy.

Coast Mental Health has operated a transitional employment service for years and has just expanded the program by teaming up with a graffiti removal company to help people recovering from mental illness find and keep permanent employment.

“It’s a wonderful component to our employment program in the sense that it gives people an opportunity to graduate from supported work, which is usually quite entry level and a form of therapy, to getting back into the work force,” says Britt Anderson, CEO of Coast Mental Health Foundation.

“This is full-time, permanent employment, back in society and the community.”

Coast’s employment program starts with volunteer positions at the organization’s club house, including tasks such as food prep, cooking, janitorial work, and clerical services.

“Once they feel comfortable with that, we have what’s called temporary employment, which is primarily street-cleaning teams and some janitorial work. We have contracts with about 15 different business improvement associations throughout the Lower Mainland,” explains Anderson.

Now, thanks to a new partnership, Goodbye Graffiti is providing secure, supported employment opportunities to graduates of the Transitional Employment Program. Training has begun for two Coast employees who recently completed a preliminary orientation.

“For a lot of these folks, mental illness hit at a young age so they may never have graduated high school and they certainly have not held a lot of jobs, if any at all. This is where they learn some of the basics in terms of responsibility, accountability, and showing up on time. We even work with them in terms of how to manage their money when they’re getting those paycheques,” Anderson tells News1130.

“A job is really one of the key essentials in full recovery for mental illness and it really does provide a sense of pride and self respect that goes along with a paycheque. I think anyone that’s out there in the workforce can tell you that if you didn’t have that every day, you had no place to go and no reason to get out of bed, you’re not really fully operating as yourself.”

Sadly, despite the fact the majority of those with mental illness have the skills and desire to work, overcoming the losses and stigma that go hand-in-hand with a serious episode of mental illness means finding a job can be a terrifying task. As a result, people with mental illness suffer the highest unemployment of any group with disabilities.

“What makes the Goodbye Graffiti relationship so unique is that this is a very progressive employer that has actually sought out this relationship,” says Anderson.

“They understand that there’s a ‘give back’ component to the community. On top of that they understand that people who are recovering from mental illness are everyday people with the same rights, the same responsibilities and can be absolutely amazing and effective workers. They are creative and enjoyable to be around. We are thrilled to be able to work with them on this.”