Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

New Job Programs for People with Schizophrenia Sought in Australia

Professor Vaughan Carr, a mental health researcher in Australia, says the number of job opportunities for schizophrenia sufferers could be tripled if more state and Federal Government funding was made available.

The issue is one of many being raised as part of Schizophrenia Awareness week which is under way in Australia.

Professor Carr from the Brain and Mental Health Research Centre says between 50 and 60 per cent of people with the illness are employable, if the right programs are in place.

"Currently about 15 to 20 per cent are employed either full or part-time - we think that those figures could be tripled with more widespread implementation of what are called supported employment programs," he said.

A good example of these supported employment programs in the US is what is done in Fountainhouse in Manhattan (New York City).