People call our employment service desperately needing jobs and sharing their personal stories of loss and fear.
Add the element that this is a service supporting persons with disabilities through the Canadian Mental Health Association, and you can imagine the intensity. Yes, this is my career and I love it.
I began this position over five years ago in the department “Bridging Employment Supports,” a service for persons with any type of disability.
The complexity of employment services at that time seemed like a maze for any person entering the system, let alone the additional obstacles faced by a person living with disabilities.
The system has improved since then and I think it is easier to find the resources you need.
A few years ago people lost their jobs due to company closures and mass layoffs. It was at that time I began receiving calls from people who worked for 20-plus years with an employer and had performed their duties without apparent difficulty but were now told they were not suitable candidates for positions with identical demands.
Often it was deemed they were functionally unable to do the base line physical requirements necessary and had inadequate education levels. As a result, a person we see may have searched over a year for a job, their employment insurance had run out, they were at risk of losing their homes or facing bankruptcy, and all too often their marriage was in jeopardy due to the stress of all they were dealing with.
All right, take a deep breath.
Imagine this is you seeking work. After so much rejection you may now feel understandably depressed. Your last interview ended with you hyperventilating and sweating. You have just experienced your first panic attack. The time has come and you muster the courage to contact a disability employment service and identify for the first time in your life that you are living with barriers, and you need some additional help.
Every person seeking work can experience significant challenges to positive mental health. It is important to find the resources and people who support your goals. Resilience and determination are not an endless resource, so it is vital to try and live a healthy life, including the basics of eating well and exercising to keep your energy positive.
Looking for work is challenging for anyone and every person seeking employment is dealing with various degrees of mental and emotional stress. There are employment services available for persons with disabilities in most regions, with a variety of programs to support your mental health during this very stressful time. These resources can include skill retraining or upgrading, plus the assistance of supportive staff to help you find employment. The supports can also include counselling and coaching services with a mental health focus.
More information on employment support programs in Wellington County and Waterloo Region can be accessed through contacting Bridging Employment Supports, 1-866-387-6660 ex 368. These services are here to help, so reach out – you don’t have to go it on your own.
The Open Mind column is sponsored by individuals and organizations concerned with mental health issues in rural Wellington and Dufferin counties.
Contact sparkinson@cmhawwd.ca. For local mental health resources and information, visit www.communitytorchlight.com.
