Fed: Employers need to get over fears of mental illness

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
Fed: Employers need to get over fears of mental illness

The federal government says business needs to get over a fear of employing people with
mental illnesses.

Parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children's services .. BILL SHORTEN ..

says of the more than seven-thousand people receiving a disability support pension ..

only 10 per cent are in the workforce .. and almost a quarter have a mental illness.

He's told ABC radio people with mental illness are capable of holding down a job ..

and he'll talk to business to try to overcome employer-phobia.







Meantime .. Mr SHORTEN will launch the 100th MyTime Peer Support Group for parents
of young children with a chronic medical condition or disability .. in the ACT today.

AAP RTV mj/rl/jec/jmt

KEYWORD: MENTAL (CANBERRA)

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