Bringing them into the loop
“I’m finally working in a field I love and I feel like I’m doing something rewarding – working with adolescents who have disabilities and mental health issues,” says Joe Roback. “I owe that to the program.”
Joe was one of panel speakers at the third annual, VCH-funded Youth Employment Conference in June, an event organized by Gastown Vocational Services (GVS), which helps youth, young adults and adults with from mental health disabilities. Joe, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 15, was also one of those young adults that GVS helps every year.
The 27 year old, who’s currently in his last semester of a psychology degree at SFU, says it was an easy decision to speak at the conference, passing along some advice and inspiration to those attending.
Stephany Berinstein speaks to conference attendees while the panel watches on. Left to right: Joe Roback, youth case manager Aaron Burnell, Kirsty MacGregor, owner Doggy Daycare Adventure Den and Karen Clarke, cosmetics manager at Shopper’s Drug Mart.
“I’ve been stable for over a decade now, but I think that it’s important to give back to the mental health community,” he says. “People with mental illness have more difficulties than the typical person on matters like finding employment and you feel isolated. I want to show people they can overcome that.”
This annual conference provided attendees with resources and skill-building workshops to empower them in finding employment. The three-hour conference involved a panel discussion with employers (Shopper’s Drug Mart and Canine Adventure Den), a youth employment case manager as well as Joe, a former client of GVS who has had success with both paid employment and post-secondary school.
But in addition to practical resources and tools, the conference provided something more important for the participants: confidence.
“Hearing somebody like Joe, who has been successful, is inspiration,” says Mariella Bozzer, program coordinator at GVS. “It boosts their confidence and shows them that they can overcome their illness too.”
Out of the loop
She says mental illness can be a big obstacle in a developing young adult.
“Often individuals become (mentally) ill at a younger age when their peers are developing social and professional skills – they’re out of the loop,” adds Mariella. “They lose a lot of confidence. Anxiety can really skyrocket in youth, especially when they have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and they possibly have had to spend time in hospital for treatment.”
To help ease the anxiety, this year’s conference was the first to welcome both attendees and their family members, significant others or close friends – more than 40 people attended. Program lead and occupational therapist Stephany Berinstein said that decision resulted in a really successful, supportive environment.
“They are such a big part helping these people in their employment search and are a huge support for them,” she says. “And it created a comfortable, happy evening.”