JobConnect: A supported employment service from Comcare
The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand has stated that 33 percent of mental health service users in Aotearoa New Zealand, did not apply for jobs because they expected discrimination.
There are nearly 60,000 health and disability benefit recipients whose primary barrier to work is mental illness. He Ara Oranga has estimated that the annual cost associated with this across government agencies, is $1.5 billion.
Comcare firmly believes that access to employment is a fundamental right for all New Zealanders and is crucial to people’s wellbeing.
Here are some of the things Comcare is doing in Canterbury to support people to gain and sustain employment...
- Their Employment Consultants work one-on-one with people throughout Christchurch to provided a Supported Employment service.
- When people gain employment, Jobconnect provides ongoing support to the worker and employer.
- Their Employment Consultants provide tailored information and advice for those who are unsure about work.
Find out more about the Jobconnect service from Comcare Trust.
"[My Employment Consultant] has provided support with my CV, cover letters, job search and applications, and interview process ... more than that, she has been there through my bouts of depression, doubts, pulling back from job search, my many phone calls and she is always there to offer support, words of encouragement, guidance and wisdom.
I appreciate all she has done and I'm very happy that she can continue to support me as I transition into work. I have concerns for my mental health and feel better knowing she will be there to check in on me" - Jobconnect client.