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Work and mental health
Work and mental health

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4 Finding and keeping paid work

Both Nick and Louis eventually want to return to full work and a career. Research from Mind (2017/2018) has reported that 48 per cent of all the people surveyed said that they had experienced a mental health problem in their current employment. This staff survey included 43,892 workers across 74 organisations. Importantly, of the 48 per cent who had experienced a mental health problem in their current work, only half of them had disclosed this to their employer. These statistics show how common it is to experience a mental health problem while in employment. They also demonstrate that many people find it challenging to disclose this information to employers.

How do we ensure that people with mental health problems can find and keep employment?

Mind (2016) reports many barriers to keeping and finding work for individuals with a mental health problem. These include:

  • limited employment support
  • employer stigma
  • benefits system constraints
  • low self-esteem and low aspirations as a result
  • difficult economic conditions (housing issues, debts)
  • fear that job will cause a relapse
  • gaps in CV and lack of recent references.

Mind’s (2016) report makes recommendations aimed at a wide range of stakeholders, including the government, employers and those providing mental health services. For example, local agencies can assist individuals by offering job clubs, employment workshops and offering mock interviews. They also recommend support to build up an individual’s weekly routine so that they can gradually build up to the working hours they are aiming for. Employers can develop trust with individuals with mental health problems by being aware of the current staff with lived experience who can provide knowledge and support for others, particularly applicants and new recruits dealing with mental health problems.

In the next activities, you will have the opportunity to make recommendations to the government, employers and mental health service providers that might improve the employment chances of people with mental health problems. Since your recommendations should reflect the reality of people’s lives, you will start by considering the experience of two people who have returned to paid employment.

Activity 4 Sarah and Julie

Timing: Allow about 1 hour

Watch the video where Sarah and Julie discuss returning to work and, using the table below, identify the challenges they faced. Then note any recommendations of necessary actions you would make to mental health service providers, employers and the government that might improve the employment chances of people with mental health problems. Be creative.

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Video 3 Returning to work
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Interactive table 1  Supporting people with mental health problems in employment: challenges and recommendations

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Comment

Here are some things you may have observed.

Example table 1  Supporting people with mental health problems in employment: challenges and recommendations
Challenges Recommendations
Mental health services People with mental health problems often lack self-confidence. Employ coaches who can sensitively but assertively provide encouragement to apply for work.
Employers Mental health problems can fluctuate. Employers accommodate flexible working patterns such as reduced hours or phased return.
Government People fear that if they return to work but cannot cope, it will take a long time to reinstate their benefits. This may prevent them from seeking work. Improve the flexibility and responsiveness of the benefits system.

Grounding your analysis in lived experience is a good place to start.