How to support schizophrenia in the workplace
By guest blogger, Dr Judith Bird, qualified Clinical Health Psychologist specialising in assessing, diagnosing and treating complex mental health issues and Head of Mental Health at Medigold Health.
It is estimated that 1 in 100 will experience an episode of schizophrenia at some point in their lives. Yet despite this, schizophrenia is still much misunderstood, with more negative associations than almost any other health condition.
For people living with schizophrenia, stigma, discrimination and insufficient support are often significant obstacles to employment.
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day (25th July) aims to help change that. Run by the charity Rethink Mental Illness, the campaign is a great opportunity to kickstart conversations about schizophrenia, shine a light on the challenges faced by those living with the condition and improve public knowledge on how to offer support.
To do our bit to help raise awareness, in this blog we’ll be looking at some of the common misconceptions about schizophrenia and what employers can do support people living with the condition in the workplace.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is characterised by a combination of symptoms. These can include:
Hallucinations – People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not.
Delusions – These are false beliefs that are firmly held, even in the face of contradictory evidence.
Disorganised thinking and speech – This may manifest as difficulty organising thoughts, speaking coherently or making logical connections between ideas.
Reduced motivation – This can lead to a lack of interest or energy in daily activities.
Difficulties with emotional expression and social interactions – People with schizophrenia may find it difficult to express their emotions appropriately.
Schizophrenia can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in various aspects of life, including work, relationships and self-care. However, with appropriate treatment and support, many individuals with schizophrenia can lead fulfilling lives.
It’s important to note that schizophrenia is a complex condition, and its causes are not fully understood. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental and neurochemical factors, and treatment typically involves a mix of antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy and support services tailored to the individual’s needs.
What are some common misconceptions about schizophrenia?
Common misconceptions about schizophrenia include the belief that individuals with the condition have multiple personalities (‘split personality’) and that they are inherently dangerous or violent.
A study in the journal Psychiatry Online found that in 40 films released between 1990 and 2010, more than 80% of main characters with a diagnosis of schizophrenia displayed violent behaviour and nearly a third engaged in homicidal behaviour. This is despite evidence showing that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of violence.
These misconceptions and the stigma surrounding schizophrenia are a significant issue that can affect individuals’ lives in many ways. Stigma often leads to social exclusion, discrimination and reduced access to healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities.
The World Health Organisation highlights that this stigma is intense and widespread, contributing to human rights violations and limiting the potential for those with the condition to live fulfilling lives.
How can we support individuals with schizophrenia in the workplace?
Supporting someone with schizophrenia in the workplace requires understanding, empathy and appropriate accommodations. Here are some ways to provide support:
Educate yourself
Learn about schizophrenia to understand the symptoms, the challenges it can cause and how it may impact someone at work.
The NHS website offers extensive information on schizophrenia, including about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support. Charities such as Mind and Rethink Mental Illness also offer information and advice, as well as resources specifically tailored to those living with the condition.
Occupational Health Specialists, too, can provide expert, comprehensive guidance on navigating the complexities of schizophrenia in the workplace and how you can provide the most appropriate support.
Plan ahead
Work together to create a wellbeing plan, identifying early warning signs and coping strategies for potential triggers. Use tools such as a Stress Risk Assessment template and a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to identify needs and difficulties and agree on mitigating or protective actions. Review these at regular catch-ups.
Accommodate specific needs
Work with the individual to identify any specific accommodations they may require. Accommodations may include:
- flexible work hours, alternative work arrangements or part-time schedules
- job sharing or telecommuting options
- modifications to their workstation
- adjustments to workload or deadlines.
Some medications have side effects that might also impact someone’s ability at work. Referring your staff member to your occupational health service will give you a better understanding of how they are affected by symptoms and medication side effects and what you can do to support them. This will also help you to ensure you are accommodating the Equality Act 2010 and meeting your legal obligations.
Offer supportive resources
Provide information about any support your company offers that the individual can access if needed. For example, employee assistance programmes, mental health resources or peer support groups.
You can also use your occupational health service and other occupationally focused support, such as the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service from Maximus and the Mental Health Support Service from Able Futures.
Remember, each person’s experience with schizophrenia is unique. Therefore, it’s important to collaborate with the individual to tailor support based on their specific needs and preferences.
For more information on National Schizophrenia Awareness Day and how you and your teams can get involved, click the link to the official webpage here.
If you’d like to learn more about all the ways Medigold Health can help your organisation to better support employees with mental or physical health conditions or disabilities, get in touch with us today! You can contact us here.
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