Participants at the job fair organised by SCARF for persons with mental illness in the city on Tuesday.
\| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) organised a job fair for patients who recovered from serious mental illnesses on Tuesday. Around 150 persons participated in the job fair in which 13 employers across eight sectors interviewed them.

SCARF is a not-for-profit organisation working in the field of mental health with focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of persons with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses into the society.

The Employment Exchange Cell of SCARF was formed with the key objective of providing support for persons with mental illnesses to find jobs and sustain in them, encourage employers to support them with jobs, and work towards inclusivity in workplaces.

This was the second job fair exclusively for mental health service users across the city and neighbouring districts. According to a press release, the sectors included ITES, which includes BPO voice and non-voice processes, sales and marketing, front office, engineering, housekeeping, picking and packing, customer relationship services and manufacturing industry.

Around 80 persons were shortlisted for various roles. They have been asked to report in the respective companies for further formalities. There were nine new employers.

Those who participated for the first time reported that their perspective about persons with mental health conditions changed after talking to the candidates. They expressed readiness to support them to help them sustain in jobs, the release said.

Earlier, all the employers were given an overview of mental illnesses and the role of employment in the recovery journey to promote inclusivity. The next job fair is planned to be held on December 1.

Published - July 21, 2026 09:09 pm IST