Affiliations: School of Rural and Northern Health, Laurentian
University, Sudbury, ON, Canada | Community Mental Health and Addictions Program, Health
Sciences North, Sudbury, ON, Canada | Social Work, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON,
Canada | Centre for Research in Social Justice and Policy,
Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada | School of Nursing, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON,
Canada | Midwifery, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON,
Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Karen L. Rebeiro Gruhl, Community
Mental Health and Addictions Program, Health Sciences North, 127 Cedar Street,
6th Floor, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E 1B1. E-mail:
kl_rebeirogruhl@laurentian.ca, krebeiro@hsnsudbury.ca
Abstract: Objective: To better understand why employment success is low, a
case study was conducted to examine the influence of place on access to
employment for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) residing in two
northeastern Ontario communities (Rebeiro, in progress). Methods: Community-based participatory research methods were used to
engage persons who experience SMI, decision-makers and providers in the
research. Forty-six interviews were conducted, complemented by primary and
secondary quantitative data sources. Results: While most consumers consider employment to be a key
element of their recovery, employment rates for persons with SMI remain limited
in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The findings of this case study reveal the
importance of collaborative partnerships to fostering better employment
outcomes in northeastern Ontario. Conclusion: The challenges of collaboration due to rural and
northern tensions, as well as various jurisdictional and funding tensions
existing at the level of community support the case for partnerships in the
provision of employment services in northern and rural places.
Keywords: Employment, mental illness, northern and rural places, collaborative practices
