Briefing - mental health, stigma and employment

Research shows that less than 40% of employers would consider employing someone with a mental health problem. Not surprisingly, people with mental health problems have the highest levels of unemployment among any disabled group – yet also have the highest ‘want to work’ rate.

Workplace perceptions of mental health

Man working in shopEmployers can be influenced by false and negative perceptions of mental health issues, which influence their attitude towards both existing and potential staff with mental health problems.

Yet by providing a supportive work environment for all staff, not just those with mental health problems, employers can improve productivity and reduce costs.

This also helps protect organisations’ reputations and resources from the impact of the cost of breaking the law under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The DDA says there should not be discrimination in recruitment and that reasonable adjustments must be provided.

The impact of stigma

The government’s report of Mental Health and Social Exclusion, published by the Social Exclusion Unit in 2004, identified stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems as the biggest barrier to social inclusion, making it difficult for people to work, access health services, participate in their communities, and enjoy family life.

  • 83 percent identified stigma as a key issue;
  • 55 percent identified stigma as a barrier to employment; and
  • 52 percent mentioned negative attitudes towards mental health in the community.

Suicide and stigma

the theme of World Mental Health Day
Around 5,000 people take their own life each year. There are a range of factors that increase the likelihood of someone taking their own life. These include having a mental health problem and social isolation, which can be linked to unemployment.

A review published by the Department of Work and Pensions in September 2006 found that being in work is good for your mental health – while people who are unemployed can have higher suicide rates.

Tackling stigma takes resources

Changing attitudes and behaviours about mental health issues takes time and resources. Rethink’s own anti-stigma campaign in Norwich in March 2006 shows that measurable results can be achieved when resources are invested in this work.

However, New Zealand spends 25 times per head what the UK Government spends on anti-stigma campaigns. Over the two campaigns, the number of people who willing to accept someone with mental illness as a workmate increased from 69% to 79%. We need a powerful, sustained anti-discrimination campaign, like the government funded anti-smoking campaigns, so that people’s understanding of mental health issues is based on facts, not stereotypes.