House of Representatives Committees

| House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment

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Work Wanted: Mental health and workforce participation

28 June 2012

View the report as a single document - (PDF 3395KB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Preliminary Pages	(PDF 130KB)

Chapter 1 Introduction	(PDF 338KB)
The issue – increasing numbers of people with a mental health condition on income support Filling workforce shortages Policy framework and strategies Benefits of employing people and keeping them in employment Mental health reforms Welfare reforms Intersection of mental health and workforce participation reforms The stigma of mental ill health Stigma in the workplace Stigma amongst clinicians Stigma in families Self-stigma Disclosure Promoting mental health awareness Promoting mental health in the workplace National and international stigma reduction campaigns – in schools, workplaces and the broader community Scope of inquiry and parameters Conduct of inquiry The inquiry process Commonwealth departments Structure of the report

Chapter 2 Education and training - Re-engagement with education, basic skills acquisition and the transition into work	(PDF 316KB)
Youth – onset of mental illness and impact on education Increasing prevalence Factors inhibiting participation in and completion of education Bullying Uneven spread of services across the country Importance of early intervention and prevention Prevention, promotion and early intervention in schools Supports during high school Alternative high school models Finding a vocation, life-skills and holistic health TAFEs and universities – a mixed picture Professional development for teaching staff and general awareness of student welfare services on campus Stigma Student support services Motivation Peer supports/PHaMS Transitioning into the workforce

Chapter 3 Employers, employees and workplaces - Importance of early intervention and prevention	(PDF 473KB)
Productivity and inclusivity benefits of increased participation Social enterprises versus open employment Wage subsidies as incentives Enhancing communication and links between supply and demand Small and medium sized businesses sometimes better Assistance for the employer Employer advocates Targeted and multi-faceted workplace solutions Public sector to lead by example Private sector to lead by example Abigroup Inc. Rio Tinto and Dampier Salt Australasian Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health

Chapter 4 Government and other service providers	(PDF 959KB)
Setting the scene: Commonwealth, state and territory responsibilities Commonwealth Government DHS (CRS Australia, Medicare and Centrelink) Service delivery mechanisms for job seekers with a mental illness – JSA and DES New participation requirements for DSP recipients Fear of losing DSP and health entitlements Assessment and referral pathways Employment Service Assessments and Job Capacity Assessments Improving communication and engagement Encouraging inter-agency communication and case- coordination Collaborative partnerships, integrated employment services and strength based approaches Place Based Services Program (PBS) Local Connections to Work Local Employment Access Partnerships (LEAP) CRS , VETE and Headspace Orygen Youth Health - Individual Placement and Support (IPS) NSW Queensland Health South Australia Health- an integrated service delivery model

Chapter 5 Concluding comments	(PDF 55KB)

Appendix A - Submissions	(PDF 48KB)

Appendix B – Exhibits	(PDF 79KB)

Appendix C – Hearings and witnesses	(PDF 91KB)
Thursday 24 March 2011, Canberra Wednesday 13 April 2011, Melbourne Friday 13 May 2011, Canberra Monday 6 June 2011, Whyalla Tuesday 7 June 2011, Adelaide Friday 17 June 2011, Sydney Monday 8 August, Gold Coast Tuesday 9 August 2011, Brisbane Friday 19 August 2011, Melbourne Tuesday 30 August 2011, Gosford Thursday 22 September 2011, Canberra Thursday 13 October 2011, Canberra Friday 14 October 2011, Canberra Monday 17 October 2011, Darwin Tuesday 18 October 2011, Perth Friday 4 November 2011, Hobart Thursday 24 November 2011, Canberra

Appendix D – Inspections - Tuesday 12 April 2011, Melbourne	(PDF 39KB)