Would you train me with my mental illness? Evidence from a discrete choice experiment

The low employment among people with disabilities in general, and mental illnesses in particular, generates high costs to society. Supported Education and Employment - a rehabilitation method that directly places patients in a realistic work environment - has been shown to be effective in increasing competitive employment for people with mental disorders. Employers are the key players because they provide the workplace and any ongoing training needed. Supported Education and Employment has not yet been widely implemented since it is difficult to find employers willing to provide these workplaces. Using a discrete choice experiment, this paper analyzes barriers to do so. Our results confirm that the overall willingness to accept employees with mental disorders is currently relatively low and that non-cognitive dysfunctions are the main deterrents.