People with a mental illness often live in poverty. Their well-being and full citizenship within society is often jeopardized by issues of unemployment and income.

Lack of employment is an issue that may affect all of us at one point or another. The biggest concern is its impact in determining our mental health. A recent study conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Canadian Psychiatric Association (1992) indicates that low income, unpredictable income, and lack of control over income are strongly related to depression, anxiety and stress.

The following list identifies some of the known impacts unemployment has on our mental well-being, impacts also experienced by those who must live on financial assistance.

It acts as a restraint financially:

Unemployed persons may lack the money to fulfill their own or their dependents' requirements for food, clothing and shelter.

People are left without the ability to make choices about things like housing and education, which are a critical part of promoting our mental health and preventing illness.

The lack of available affordable housing options due to income issues forces many individuals with mental illness to live in residential mental health programs or facilities.

Many are often forced to live in unlivable conditions due to the issue of income. Mental health consumers live in locations where there is little cleanliness, security, privacy, freedom and mobility to support systems.

Restrictions make it difficult for people on a limited income and unemployed people to become independent of the income assistance system.

It changes our lifestyles:

The presence of unemployment and poverty is known to cause anxiety, depression and other emotional and family problems.

Unemployment raises not only economic questions, but also moral questions about the relationship between people and the means of production, as well as the right of every individual to pursue freedom and happiness.

Due to unemployment and income issues, mental health consumers do not have healthy social networks or a sense of fulfillment, because of the anxiety and stress associated with being unemployed.

It diminishes our sense of self:

Unemployed people may lose their sense of self-worth and belonging: within their family, their former workplace and their community because they are unable to contribute financially, and to the work that needs to be done in our community.

Ability to work gives a person a sense of worth and well-being. Employment plays a central role in the rehabilitation of individuals with mental health problems.

Limited income individuals who are on unemployment often loses the freedom to make choices to contribute to the quality of life.

Compiled by Sandy Jakkavanrangsri from the New Directions for Mental Health fact sheet series, CMHA BC Division, 1994 (by Eric Macnaughton) and the policy statement "Mental Health and Unemployment," CMHA National, 1995.

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