Psychological Disorders and Meaningful Work

Introduction
Individuals with psychological disorders have been historically stigmatized as being
unable to maintain successful or meaningful employment. Research shows that people with
mental illnesses would prefer to work for income and independence and that their quality of life
is improved when given opportunities for meaningful work (National Alliance on Mental Illness,
2014). In addition, as employers address mental health more, the labor market is improved and
benefited as well (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000). The World Health Organization, NAMI, and
several other groups and individuals show that access to meaningful work for individuals with
mental disorders is beneficial in the treatment and quality of life for those individuals. The
psychological disorders addressed in this paper are limited to those addressed in the text and
articles examined. These disorders include anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
major depressive disorder, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though the benefits of
meaningful work can likely include disorders not addressed.
Literary Review
Psychological disorders are defined as a persistent disturbance or dysfunction in
behavior, thoughts, or emotions that causes significant distress or impairment (Schacter, Gilbert,
Wegner & Nock, 2014, pg. 584) and as such can cause a lot of difficulty in a persons ability to
maintain successful employment. The World Health Organization asserts that five out of the ten
leading causes for disability worldwide are mental health problems and has estimated that 20%
of the adult working population has a mental health problem at any given time and that in the
USA more than 40 million people have some type of mental health disorder (Harnois &
Gabriel, 2000, pg 1). Employee mental health status has significant impacts on illness,

absenteeism, performance, work place accidents, and staff turn-over and therefore, addressing
employee mental health is beneficial to both the employees and the labor market (Harnois &
Gabriel, 2000). The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) addresses that most people
with mental illness would prefer paid employment and independence over relying on government
programs but that there are disincentives to working (2014). Unfortunately, despite over four
million Americans struggling with mental illness, employment rates for those with psychological
disorders are incredibly low and have decreased in the last decade (National Alliance on Mental
Illness, 2014).
Meaningful work can be described as work that a person can engage in that they have a
strength in doing and that they can perform in a way that suits their individual needs without
undue stress. This work can vary from full-time out of home employment, part-time
employment, employment from home, or internships and volunteer work. The most important
aspect of meaningful work is that the individual feels they have a purpose and a place in the
world. People with mental illness are diverse and have a wide range of talents and abilities to
contribute to the workforce (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2014). Employment offers
income, a sense of purpose, and opportunities to learn and work with others (National Alliance
on Mental Illness, 2014). Most importantly, work offers hope, which is vital to recovery
(National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2014, pg. 3).
The World Health Organization recognizes that all of us, globally, have the right to
decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity but
that for those with mental illness, this is challenging despite the fact that numerous affordable
interventions exist (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000, pg. vi). The International Labour Organisation
(ILO) has documented the great loss to productivity and notes that this is a human resource crisis

and promotes the inclusion of persons with mental illness (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000). The World
Health Organization recognizes mental health as a top priority and notes that when medication,
when needed, and essential treatment, including access to meaningful and realistic
employment, are made available we know many people are able to lead more successful and
fulfilling lives (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000, pg. vi). The World Health Organization identified five
categories for work promotes mental well-being which include: having a time structure, having a
social contract to follow, feeling of a collective effort and purpose outside of family, having
social identity, and having regular activity (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000).
In the article Successful and Schizophrenic (Schacter et al., 2014), Elyn R. Saks describes
living independently with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is defined as a psychotic disorder
characterized by the profound disruption of basic psychological processes; a distorted perception
of reality; altered or blunted emotion; and disturbances in thought, motivation, and behavior
with symptoms that include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and grossly
disorganized behavior (Schacter et al., 2014, pg. 607-608). When Elyn Saks received her
diagnosis, she also received a prognosis that she would never live independently, hold a job,
find a loving partner and decided that she would change that narrative (Schacter et al., 2014, pg.
613). Elyn Saks went on to become a law professor at the University of Southern California.
Her colleagues and her later gathered together 20 individuals with high-functioning
schizophrenia who all were engaged in studying or professional work and found that in addition
to medication and therapy, each of them had found techniques to manage their symptoms and
many described work as a means to manage their symptoms. Explanations varied, but included
that work distracted them from their symptoms and they were helped by feeling a sense of

belonging and purpose through work. Saks describes that doctors should urge their patients to
engage in meaningful work. (Schacter et al., 2014)
In the past, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was thought to prevent those diagnosed
with it from being able to have successful careers. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a
condition beginning in early childhood in which a person shows persistent communication
deficits as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests and activities
(Schacter et al., 2014, pg. 614). Although, ASD does present significant difficulties depending on
its severity, we now understand that those diagnosed have highly variable trajectories and that
early intervention can also help individuals with ASD to be successful in academic and
occupational settings (Schacter et al., 2014). One famous example of this is Temple Grandins
story of success. Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as age three but also had a special
talent of understanding animal behavior (Schacter et al., 2014). She developed her own coping
strategies and went on to become a Professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University,
publish several books, and serve as living proof that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are
able to have very successful professional careers (Schacter et al., 2014, pg. 615). We now
understand that many people with ASD have remarkable abilities to perceive or remember
details, or to master symbol systems such as mathematics or music (Schacter et al., 2014, pg.
614) which can help lead to successful work in places that are accommodating to ASD needs.
It is not always the case that meaningful work takes the form of employment. In the case
of Josie Thompson, meaningful work means volunteering to make the world a better place. As a
young adult, Josie was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and despite visiting many psychiatrists
and trying over 30 medications felt it was to no avail (Thompson, 2016). Bipolar disorder is
a condition characterized by cycles of abnormal, persistent high mood (mania) and low mood

(depression) (Schacter et al., 2014, pg. 604). Josie set off to travel the world, do service work,
and prove three points: everyone has a story to tell; there is goodness alive and well in the world
today; and everyone has a reason to live (Thompson, 2016). She created the 444 Project and
started every interview globally with the question, What brings you joy? (Thompson, 2016).
Today, Josie talks about the project having saved her life, she is a popular public speaker, and her
goal is to be the girl who bring light to others through her own darkness (Thompson, 2016).
Application
A few years back, I worked as a case manager for homeless youth at the Homeless Youth
Resource Center. The youth I worked with seemed more resilient when they found work or
projects to keep them busy. In the center we would often talk as staff about the never-ending
boredom that many of the youth we served would struggle with. Many of the youth would come
to the center for classes or show up just to have a place to be. I mention homeless youth because
many of our clients were young people who had psychological disorders manifest, lacked
support or understanding, and became homeless. The clients were able to help employ or return
to school had much greater success than those clients who we housed without employment or
school. I had one client who struggled with several significant disorders. He received Social
Security Income which was vital to his health and housing. However, by navigating disability
laws, he was eventually able to become employed part time and he reported feeling better each
day.
I also have watched a very close friend struggle with navigating employment with mental
illness. My friend has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and some days she cannot
get out of bed. She works hard as a social worker, values her work, and needs the insurance her
job provides to continue to receive treatment for her depression. This year, she had a severe

episode and was unable to work for nearly two months. Fortunately, because of the nature of her
work, she understood her rights with ADA and accessing accommodations. Even with this
understanding though, she had to fight nearly every day and nearly lost her job at times when she
did not succeed in navigating policy. To this end, it should not be so difficult to maintain a job,
or a place in the labor market, when mental illness becomes severe. Today, she is back to work
and she is phenomenal at what she does. Having access to resources to temporarily step away
from her employment and then return when she was more able has been vital to her quality of
life and treatment.
Conclusion
Through research and examples, I feel it is clear that meaningful work provides hope and
improves the quality of life for those living with mental illness. The national and global labor
market is improved by accommodating people with mental disorders, who bring a wide range of
talents and abilities to their jobs. By providing greater access to resources and treatment, the loss
of human potential could be avoided. Finally, it is important that treatment includes finding
some form of meaningful work that fits the needs of the person, even if that work is very limited
or volunteer based, to ensure that all people have access to a sense of belonging.

References

Harnois, G., Gabriel, P., (2000). Mental Health and Work: Impact, issues, and good practices.
World Health Organization: Nations for Mental Health. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/712.pdf
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2014). Road to Recovery: Employment and Mental Illness.
Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Publications-Reports/Public-PolicyReports/RoadtoRecovery
Schacter, D.L, Gilbert, D. T., Wegner D.M., Nock, M.K. (2014). Chapter 15: Psychological
Disorders. Psychology (3rd ed.) (pp. 582-623). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Thompson, J. (n.d.). About the 444 Project. Retrieved on June 4, 2016 from
http://www.the444project.com/about.html