The mainstream venue

For many people with a diagnosis of severe and enduring mental ill-health, there is a strong chance of never being employed again.

There are a variety of reasons for this.  Stigma is often put forward as the main block to obtaining work.  Stigma by employers.  Stigma by societal attitudes.  But there is more to it than stigma.

For a significant group of people with mental health conditions, living a life  outside of employment is part of the diagnosis.  Not only diagnosed with clinical illnesses they are also prescribed 'a career in mental health' (Dr. Pat Deegan).

Stigma is only a small part of the rationale behind this exclusion.  Certainly, stigma in employment is still prevalent.  But there are many steps to employment that people may wish to take before they feel ready for work after illness or hospitalisation.  These steps take in any area of aspiration, goals, hopes and dreams that an individual may feel are appropriate. All of these areas once identified should be in mainstream venues.  No-one is going to reach their hopes and goals from a day centre or a clinical setting.

Do mainstream outlets stigmatize against people with mental health conditions?  No, by and large.  Leave out employment where stigma is alive and well.  But elsewhere - in mainstream venues of all kinds stigma is not the issue.

Should people with long-term mental health conditions disclose this to mainstream venues they wish to access?  Only if they personally wish to do so.  It's the individual's choice and no-one should disclose on their behalf.

Someone might feel that disclosure to a mainstream venue might be beneficial or helpful to their progress in that venue.  There may be a key worker or support worker in place.  But the motive behind accessing a mainstream venue is not for 'support' per se.

The motive for a person with a long-term mental health condition to access mainstream is the same as anyone else.  We go to adult education centres to do courses of our choice.  We go to rehearsal studios to play music with our mates.  We go to art galleries to enjoy art.  We go to gyms to do exercise and get fit.  We go to libraries to check out books, use computers and get information.

The person with a mental health condition who accesses these venues is a consumer along with everyone else.  As such he or she is included within the rights of access, protection and insurance that all venues must provide as part of their service.