New resource centre to help recovering mental patients find jobs

SINGAPORE: There is now a new vocational rehabilitation centre that aims to help those with mental illness to select, secure and keep a job. The centre, known as Job Club, is spearheaded by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

IMH has been providing job training and placement services to its patients since 1972. But the Job Club aims to provide a more holistic approach — it will equip patients with critical job—seeking skills such as resume—writing and personal grooming.

Jobseekers will also get to learn skills for work through vocational training programmes offered at IMH.

The centre has successfully matched patients to nearly 400 jobs since its soft launch in April last year. These include jobs in the F&B, retail and hospitality sectors.

There are currently 59 employers registered with Job Club.

Lilian Mark Fong Eng, head of Department of Medical Social Work, IMH, said: "We have a multi—disciplinary team who conduct many field visits to both the patients’ work environment, as well as home environment, to work with their employers, their caregivers and family members to ensure that they have all the support they need to sustain their efforts in keeping the job."

— CNA/so