AN INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR CAREER COUNSELLING SERVICES TO MENTAL HEALTH NEETs

BACKGROUND

Mental illness affects around 27% (83 m.) of Europeans annually (European Social Work, 2013). Three quarters of mental illness begins by age 24 (WHO), affecting the social inclusion and, due to stigma, the work integration of a big number of young citizens in the EU. While many EU projects have focused in facilitating work integration of European NEETs (young people Not in Employment, Education or Training), little attention has been paid to young people with Mental Health problems that are, also, “not in Employment, Education or Training”, and in the same time they have to face a lot of extra challenges on their way to education and the labour market. It seems that, at the moment, there are not any specialized tools facilitating the work integration of MH NEETs. Furthermore, all the main actors involved in this procedure (MH NEETs, mental health professionals, career counsellors, informal carers) are not sufficiently educated, in order to provide the support needed. The big number of MH NEETs remaining outside the labour market constitutes an urgent call to the member countries of the EU to work together and develop efficient strategies. European countries need to elaborate, not only to exchange good practices but also to work on the appropriate educative solutions and methodology to integrate MH NEETs in the labour market.

GOALS

• to map the need and deficiencies in integration, education and the labour market of Young People with mental health problems

• to ensure that professionals are able to empower, motivate and inform Young People with mental health problems

• to review the existing methodology for Career Counselling for people with mental health problems

• to develop the specialized methodology and tools for Career Counselling that will answer the specific needs of Young People with mental health problems