Welfare reform: work doesn’t work for everyone

Here at Rethink, we support the principle that those who genuinely can work should be given the support they need to get back into employment.

What we object to, is the implication that everyone on ‘sickness benefits’ is somehow abusing the system.

Some people with a severe mental illness like schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder may not be able to hold down a permanent full time job. These people are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and they absolutely deserve to be given the support they need.

By constantly repeating the mantra ‘all people receiving benefits will be expected to work’ as employment Minister Chris Grayling did this week on Newsnight, the government is causing a huge amount of unnecessary fear and anxiety amongst people with a mental illness.

It’s a reality that many people on benefits like Employment and Support Allowance cannot work, and to imply that they can is damaging and hurtful to many people who are already struggling with feelings of low self-worth.

Although it’s not true that everyone will be forced to work under the new system, that’s the message people are hearing via the media and it’s causing real panic amongst people we support.

The subject of welfare reform has been a hot topic of debate on Rethink’s online forum RethinkTalk for many months now. As one member put it in a web chat with Chris Grayling last week:

“Do you recognise that paid work isn’t always the solution for people, especially those with mental health problems? Many of us have tried this for years and have found that it worsens our health.

“What about concentrating on using our time constructively, such as creative, voluntary work or study, which gives us a feeling of worth and self-esteem?”

It’s also important to remember that many people who have a mental illness can and do want to work. For them, the biggest barrier is discrimination. Many employers have told us they’re just not willing to recruit people with a mental health condition.

All we are asking for is some recognition that work is not a magic solution for everyone. Some people can’t and may never be able to hold down a job. Some desperately want to work but employers won’t give them a chance.

Most importantly, people who are rightly and fairly claiming benefits should not be made to feel like a failure or forced into a job which would only make their illness worse.