Some 32% of SMEs surveyed indicated that in the future they would be likely to employ a person with a mental illness, compared to 46% for someone with a physical disability.

Not-for-profit group Wise Employment – which commissioned the research – said that with one in five Australians affected by mental illness, the results highlighted how many Australian workers could be impacted by misconceptions.

Wise is launching Empowermental, a campaign that aims to break down stigma and encourage Australian businesses to consider employing a person with mental illness, to coincide with Mental Health Week.

Wise general manager strategy and alliance Matthew Lambelle said the results highlighted widespread negative perceptions of mental illness that did not match reality.

“There is a distinct lack of understanding about mental health issues, which fuels stigma and causes some employers to shy away from hiring people with mental illness,” he said.

“The research reveals an underlying assumption among employers that mental illness will inhibit job performance, when in fact the two are not linked.

“A person with a mental illness can be the best person for the job.”

The research conducted by McNair Ingenuity Research revealed that 74% of SMEs that have employed someone with a mental illness described the experience as “positive” or “very positive”

The Empowermental campaign, which will run for the month of October, aims to educate employers about the cost-free support available upon hiring someone with mental illness.

“Our research shows almost half of those surveyed indicated they would be willing to give a person with a mental illness a go if they had outside support available to them,” Lambelle said.