10 Jobs For People With Mental Illness + Support Techniques

Mental illness makes it difficult to find and keep a job. But there are resources available to help people with mental illness find employment. So here are some jobs for people with mental illness:

Government programs provide job training and placement assistance for people with mental illness.

10 Jobs For People With Mental Illness

Many nonprofit organizations too offer support and job opportunities for such people.

And there are several private companies committed to hiring people with mental illness.

So options are available if you or someone you know is living with mental illness and seeking employment.

Let’s start with the types of jobs that might be a good fit for someone with mental illness.

1. Shop Assistant Can Be A Great Resource:

A retail job like this is a good option for someone with a mental illness. It doesn’t require much interaction with customers or other employees.

And since people with mental illness can’t make strategic decisions. Thus, they might not be able to handle the responsibilities of a manager or supervisor.

Also, as a shop assistant, one can work at their own pace without too much pressure.

Just daily, they will have to restock shelves and do some cleaning. And while the manager is around, they can always ask for help if needed.

And since it’s a retail job, the hours are generally flexible. For example, someone with mental illness may need to take medication or see a therapist during the day.

In this job, they can usually arrange their schedule around those appointments.

2. Cleaner Is A Low-Pressure Job:

When it comes to jobs for people with mental illness, a cleaning job might be a good option.

It’s a low-pressure job with little interaction with other people. And it can be done at your own pace.

Some people with mental illness may have trouble focusing on one task for a long time.

But in a cleaning job, you have to complete short tasks throughout the day.

This can help people with mental illness stay on track and not feel overwhelmed.

And it is not something that requires a lot of mental energy. So it can be a good option for particularly anxious or stressed people.

3. Office Worker Has Set Hours:

An office job is another option for people with mental illness. It offers a predictable work environment with little interaction with other people.

People with mental illness often struggle with unexpected changes or social situations.

So an office job can be a good fit because it is typically very structured and predictable.

There are usually set hours and tasks to be completed each day. And most office jobs don’t require much interaction with other people.

Some people with mental illness may feel more comfortable working independently.

Their roles may include data entry, customer service, or telemarketing.

They might need training and support to learn the skills required for the job.

But once they have those skills, they can usually work independently with little supervision.

4. Warehouse Operative Will Be A Good Job:

It is a job that is typically very structured and predictable. There are usually set hours and tasks to be completed each day.

As a warehouse operative, people with mental illness can work with little supervision.

They get involved in activities such as:

– Stock control

– Picking and packing orders

– Loading and unloading vehicles

– Receiving and checking deliveries

5. Catering Has An Easygoing Workplace:

The catering assistant has to work in a kitchen environment and prepare food. Therefore, they will need to undergo specific training, such as food hygiene.

Catering assistants have to work as part of a team. So they must be able to communicate well with others.

They will need to be able to follow instructions and recipes. However, it may be challenging for people with mental illness as it can be fast-paced.

But with the proper support, they can succeed in this job. Their roles may also include washing up, food preparation, and serving customers.

6. Care Worker Cares For All:

Care workers provide care and support to people who need help with everyday tasks. This can include:

– Personal care

– Cooking and cleaning

– Shopping

– Taking medication

– Going to appointments

Care workers usually work with a specific client or group of clients. You may have option to work with clients with similar mental health conditions.

This can make it easier to relate to them and provide them with the best care.

Care workers usually work shifts that include weekends and evenings. So they must be able to be flexible with their hours.

7. Recycling Operative Is Meaningful:

Recycling operatives get involved in activities such as:

– Sorting recyclable materials

– Loading them onto vehicles.

– Delivering them to the appropriate recycling facilities.

It is an easy yet meaningful job for people with mental illness. They need to stay focused on their task and not get overwhelmed by the amount of work.

However, it is a job that offers a lot of flexibility. And it is also a very important job that helps protect the environment.

8. Gardener Is Therapeutic:

Gardening is a great option for people with mental illness. It is a relaxing and therapeutic activity that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

As a gardener, you will need to have some knowledge of plants and gardening techniques. But you don’t need to be an expert.

There are many different types of gardening jobs. For example, you could work for a private company, a public park, or even maintain your garden.

Gardening can be a very solitary activity. So you must be comfortable working alone.

9. Hotel Housekeeper Is Also An Option:

Hotel housekeepers have to clean and tidy hotel rooms. Therefore, they need to be able to work quickly and efficiently.

Their roles may also include making beds, vacuuming, and dusting. It is a physically demanding job.

So people with mental illness must be able to maintain a good level of fitness.

They might need to be able to lift heavy objects and stand for long periods.

But, with proper support, people with mental illness can be good hotel housekeepers.

10. Sorting Mail Is Also An Option:

What’s great about working in a mail sorting office is that it is a very relaxed and calm environment.

There is no need to rush, and the work is usually quite repetitive. This can make it easier for people with mental illness to focus on their tasks.

Their roles may include:

– Sorting mail

– Naming envelopes

– Loading it onto vehicles

– Delivering it to the appropriate address

It is a job that offers a lot of flexibility. And it is also a very important job that helps keep the community running smoothly.

These are some of the many different types of jobs that are available for people with mental illness.

With the proper support, people with mental illness can succeed in any job they want.

Support Mentally Ill People Require For Jobs

People with mental illness often require some support to succeed in their job.

This support can come from different sources such as:

– Family and friends

– Mental health professionals

– Job coaches

– Training programs

Each person’s needs will be different. And it is important to tailor the support to each individual.

Here are some necessary supports that people with mental illness might need:

1. A Flexible Schedule:

People with mental illness often need a flexible schedule. This is because their symptoms can fluctuate.

So they might need to take time off work for appointments or days when they feel particularly unwell.

A flexible schedule will allow them to take their time off. And this would be without having to worry about losing their job.

2. Accommodations:

People with mental illness might need some accommodations to succeed in their job.

This could include things like:

– A quiet work environment

– Avoiding bright lights and loud noises

– Having a pet in the workplace

These accommodations will help to reduce the symptoms of mental illness. And this will make it easier for people to succeed in their job.

3. A Supportive Workplace:

People with mental illness must have a supportive workplace. This includes having a boss and co-workers who are understanding and accommodating.

The workplace should also have a good support system in place. This could include an employee assistance program or a mental health consultant.

And once again, these supports will help reduce mental illness symptoms.

4. Job Coaching:

People with mental illness might need extra help when starting a job. This is where job coaching comes in.

A job coach can help people with things like:

– Learning new tasks

– Dealing with difficult situations

– Managing their symptoms

A job coach can be a great asset for people with mental illness. They can help to make the transition into the workplace much smoother.

5. The Right Job:

It is also important that people with mental illness find the right job. This is a job suited to their skills and interests.

It is also a job that is in a good environment. And it is a job that offers the necessary support.

Finding the right job can make all the difference for people with mental illness.

Should Mentally Ill People Tell Their Employers?

This is a difficult question to answer. There is no right or wrong answer. It ultimately comes down to the individual.

Some people might feel comfortable telling their employer about their mental illness. This could be for several reasons.

For example, they might feel that their employer would be understanding. Or they might think they must disclose their illness to get the necessary support.

Other people might not feel comfortable telling their employer about their mental illness. When making this decision, it is important to consider a few things.

For example, how well do you know your employer? Do you think that they would be understanding? Do you think that it would negatively impact your job?

These are all important factors to consider. But , it is up to the individual to decide whether or not to tell their employer about their mental illness.

Final Word:

If you are living with mental illness, know that you are not alone. There are many other people in the same situation as you.

So jobs for people with mental illness do exist. You might need to look a little harder to find them.

And when applying for jobs, don’t hesitate to ask for accommodations. These accommodations will help you to succeed in your career.

And finally, always remember that you have the right to disclose your mental illness – or not. The decision is ultimately up to you.

Last Updated on 9 months by Shahzaib Arshad