Social determinants of health: Employment

Employment is a critical social determinant of health, whether it provides a source of income, health insurance coverage, social connections or sense of pride. However, a variety of barriers can make finding and maintaining a job more difficult for people with mental illness, and these may be further compounded by aspects of race, gender, and age. For example, many people are concerned that disclosing their mental illness has a negative effect on hiring and career advancement. Symptoms of mental illness may put certain kinds of jobs or minimum work hours out of reach, and people with mental illness have an increased risk of employment termination and both voluntary and involuntary job loss. Fewer than 7% of adults with schizophrenia who receive community mental health services are competitively employed. Another concern is that additional income from employment can jeopardize eligibility for other vital income supports and medical benefits, which are critical tools for maintaining wellness. (author introduction)