Mental Health Charity welcomes Government’s anti-stigma plans, but calls for greater investment

News Release, 10 October 2006

 A national mental health charity today welcomed the Government’s new initiative ‘Action on Stigma’, a scheme designed to promote mental well-being and tackle discrimination amongst employers.  However, the Mental Health Foundation said that while it welcomes the proposal, it is crucial that it be followed up with real action and adequate resource.  

Dr. Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

“It is good to see acknowledgement from Government about the serious issue of employer discrimination against people with mental health problems. Recent research shows that fewer than 40% of employers said they would consider hiring someone with a mental health problem and many people with mental health problems have experienced a huge amount of stigma and discrimination within the workplace. This is a fundamental issue about the right to a decent quality of life. The majority of people with experience of mental health problems want to work and are denied from doing so on the grounds of their disability.” 

“The Disability Discrimination Act makes it encumbent on employers not to discriminate against people with disabilities and to allow for flexible working arrangements, but it is important any action taken by employers is not simply tokenistic box ticking. They will need appropriate support and training. If we are to achieve a real change in attitude towards people with mental health problems, Government will need to substantially increase the amount it is willing to invest in any initiative designed to tackle stigma and discrimination. To date there has been minimal investment in this area.” 

Ends

• Many people with mental illness suffer unjustified restrictions in getting and keeping work and for some, discrimination in the work place is far greater than in any other domain. A recent review found that the proportion of the whole adult population in employment was about 75%, for people with physical health problems the figure was about 65%, while only 20% of people with severe mental health problems were employed.

• Employment rates for people with common mental illness, only reach about 50%. There is some evidence that the UK may be much worse than other EU countries. In a study of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in five European countries, the lowest employment rate was in England (5%), compared with 20% and 23% in Spain and Italy.

• The flexibility of the workplace also plays a large part in how far people with mental illness are included in the workforce. In England, one third of people with mental health problems say that they have been dismissed or forced to resign from their jobs, 40% say that they were denied a job because of their history of psychiatric treatment, and about 60% say that they have been put off applying for a job as they expect to be dealt with unfairly.Another survey showed that fewer than 40% of employers said that they would consider employing a person with a history of mental health problems, compared with 60% for people with a physical disability, and about 80% for long-term unemployed people and lone parents. People with mental disorders have the highest ‘want to work’ rate: In one survey, 52% of disabled people wanted to find a job, while 86% of people with ‘mental illness, phobias and panics’ stated they wanted to work.

• Another survey showed that fewer than 40% of employers said that they would consider employing a person with a history of mental health problems, compared with 60% for people with a physical disability, and about 80% for long-term unemployed people and lone parents.

• People with mental disorders have the highest ‘want to work’ rate: In one survey, 52% of disabled people wanted to find a job, while 86% of people with ‘mental illness, phobias and panics’ stated they wanted to work.

Read about the Government's 'Action on Stigma' intiative (on the Department of Health website)

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Notes to editors

For further information and interview requests contact please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office 

The Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working to improve services for both people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. It is the only charity to fund and work with both service users and providers and plays an important role in funding research and new approaches to prevention, treatment and care. The Foundation’s work includes allocating grants for research and community projects; contributing to the public debate; educating policy makers and healthcare professionals and striving to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.