SCARF organises job fair for persons with mental illness in Chennai

About 300 individuals with mental illnesses took part in the job fair organised by Schizophrenia Research Foundation on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Krishita Giri

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At the job fair organised by the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) on its premises on Saturday, around 300 individuals with mental illnesses turned up to attend interviews for various posts — from packing and retail to software.

“The job fair aims at connecting potential employers with people who have mental health conditions seeking employment. We want to open the doors to meaningful work opportunities,” says R. Padmavati, Director at SCARF.

According to Joint Director R. Mangala, who leads SCARF’s Employment Exchange Cell, stigma attached to mental health illness persists. “Today, we have sensitised employers on mental illness, and shared success stories to show that individuals with mental health challenges can lead lives just like anyone else,” she said. “Only when candidates are ready, do we connect them with potential employers.

Those associated with SCARF and other organisations took part in the event, which saw 22 employers from sectors such as quick commerce and education coming forward to recruit for 500 positions. Through SCARF, the candidates had already undergone skill assessments to narrow down and choose interviews that suited their strengths.

Selva Savari Raj, SCARF’s employment coordinator, whose brainchild was the job fair, said that decades of stigma, which is often perpetuated through films and television, had also created hiring hesitations. This is why their employment exchange programme was launched at SCARF two and a half years ago, and will continue every year, until there is an open job market for persons with mental health conditions.

“In the event today, we have stayed away from token gestures such as training programmes or volunteering projects. The idea is to ensure long-term financial stability and independence for the candidates,” consultant psychiatrist D. Vijayaraghavan said.

One of the candidates waiting for his interview, shared with quiet optimism that he had spent his time gaining software skills through online courses, and was eager to return to work after a break.

By the end of the day, there were around 100 candidates selected, with 4-5 offer letters given on the spot, and more candidates shortlisted for subsequent rounds of interviews.