The government has announced that it has plans to radically overhaul support for people with mental health problems, by basing mental health co-ordinators in Job Centres.
As well, dedicated advice lines for small businesses will also be launched as part of its new mental health and employment strategy, including improving job opportunities
According to government ministers, these advice lines are for supporting small businesses that retain people when health issues arise, including offering direct access to occupational health professionals.
Dr. Rachel Perkins, a specialist on mental health issues and, who works for the West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, is to be credited for the announcement, with the review led by her stressed the need to improve support for unemployed people with mental health problems.
As Dr. Perkins said: ‘People with mental health conditions remain among the most excluded within our society, particularly in the workplace. We know that work improves mental health and wellbeing and most people with a mental health condition would like to be in work and pursue a career.’
While, Yvette Cooper, Work and Pensions Secretary believes a vast majority of mentally ill people continue to work, however, it is difficult for some of them to remain in a job. Being unemployed and on benefits makes it hard for them to work again, as being out of work really knocks their confidence. This makes it important to offer support to people with mental health conditions, such as, depression and help them stay in a job, or get back to work.
It is expected there will be another announcement from the minister regarding extra support to help the disabled find work.
According to the ministers, this radical overhaul of the mental health services will help reduce the £40-billion cost to the economy, as mental health commands a share of the NHS budget, with
13% of all funds being spent on community, hospital and drug and alcohol addiction services.
At any one time, up to 15% of the UK’s population suffers from clinical anxiety or depression, however, the new plans will also cover the bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.