Barriers to obtaining employment for people with severe mental illness experiencing homelessness

Abstract

Background: The rate of unemployment among homeless people is estimated to exceed 80%. A high prevalence of mental illness partially explains this figure, but few studies about the relationship between employment and homelessness have focused on homeless people with mental illness.

Aim: The present study explores the self-reported barriers to employment in a sample of individuals with mental illness when they were homeless.

Methods: A sample of 27 individuals with mental illness and recent experiences of homelessness, who had expressed an interest in working, participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Inductive analysis was used to identify barriers to employment.

Findings: The prominent barriers include: (1) current substance abuse, (2) having a criminal record, (3) work-impeding shelter practices, and (4) difficulties obtaining adequate psychiatric care.

Conclusion: Individuals who have been homeless and have a mental illness report facing specific barriers associated with mental illness, homelessness, or the interaction between the two. Additional research should explore how supported housing and employment interventions can be tailored to effectively serve this group.

• Employment barriers
• homelessness
• qualitative analysis
• severe mental illness

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jayne Barker (2008–11), Ph.D., Cameron Keller (2011–12), and Catharine Hume (2012–present), Mental Health Commission of Canada, At Home/Chez Soi National Project Leads, Paula Goering, Ph.D., National Research Lead, the National Research Team, as well as housing and clinical providers associated with the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, CSSS Jeanne-Mance and Diogène. The authors also thank the Montreal site research coordinator, Cécile Leclercq, Ph.D., and Véronique Denis, M.Sc., field research coordinator, as well as their team of interviewers, for assistance in implementing the study; and last but not least, the participants who agreed to be interviewed. The views expressed herein solely represent the authors.