Table 2.
Reasons why participants applied for their current position
| Reason | Gov (N = 44) n (%) |
CMO (N = 19) n (%) |
Overall (N = 64) n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using my lived experience to support others | 23 (52.3%) | 10 (52.6%) | 34 (53.1%) |
| To improve mental health system / make a difference | 18 (40.9%) | 3 (15.8%) | 21 (32.8%) |
| Job fit with my expertise / skill set / qualifications | 13 (29.5%) | 3 (15.8%) | 16 (25.0%) |
| Wanted to work in mental health / the health system | 8 (18.2%) | 4 (21.1%) | 12 (18.8%) |
| Challenging / Interesting work† | 4 (9.1%) | 6 (31.6%) | 10 (15.6%) |
| Passion for peer support / mental health | 4 (9.1%) | 4 (21.1%) | 9 (14.1%) |
| To demonstrate recovery | 6 (13.6%) | 2 (10.5%) | 8 (12.5%) |
| Working conditions (e.g., working hours, job security, work-life balance) | 6 (13.6%) | 2 (10.5%) | 8 (12.5%) |
| Build on previous experiences / Improve skills | 5 (11.4%) | 2 (10.5%) | 7 (10.9%) |
| Did not like previous position | 4 (9.1%) | 1 (5.3%) | 5 (7.8%) |
| New experiences / something different | 2 (4.5%) | 3 (15.8%) | 5 (7.8%) |
| Support recovery / recovery oriented practice | 4 (9.1%) | 1 (5.3%) | 5 (7.8%) |
| To reduce stigma / discrimination | 4 (9.1%) | 1 (5.3%) | 5 (7.8%) |
| Career progression† | 0 (0.0%) | 3 (15.8%) | 3 (4.7%) |
| Location | 2 (4.5%) | 1 (5.3%) | 3 (4.7%) |
| To support my own recovery | 2 (4.5%) | 1 (5.3%) | 3 (4.7%) |
Notes:† Proportions of respondents identifying these elements were significantly different between government and community managed organisation respondents (Pearson’s chi square, p < 0.05). Gov = Participants employed in government services; CMO = Participants employed in community managed organisations. Participants could identify more than one reason. Up to eight reasons could be coded