"One of the most harmful myths about people with mental illness is that they don’t want to work. That’s simply not true." says Emily Talbot, service manager at Rethink Mental Illness Coventry & Warwickshire Employment Service. 

"Many people experiencing mental health challenges are highly motivated to find and stay in employment.

"They often hold qualifications, transferable skills, and real ambition, but they may face extra barriers, such as stigma, breaks in employment, or low confidence.

"Individual Placement and Support services help break down those barriers, offering tailored, person-centred support rather than a one-size-fits-all programme.

"People with lived experience bring resilience, empathy, and determination to the workplace. They’ve overcome a lot just to get through the door, and that’s a strength, not a weakness."