Mental health support

The government has announced that people with mental health problems will receive additional support to stay in work.

Jim Knight, minister for employment and welfare reform, announced in August that pilot projects run in conjunction with mental health charity Mind will be extended nationally, by the Department for Work and Pensions, alongside other initiatives. These include:

• a network of mental health experts across JobCentre Plus who will work with the health system to co-ordinate support for mental health conditions;

• a consultation on “Right to Control” that will give disabled people – including those with mental health problems – greater control over how public money is spent to meet their needs;

• a doubling of funds for Access to Work, the disability support agency, to £138 million, to help employers overcome work-related obstacles.

The government has also announced its first National Strategy for Mental Health and Employment, due to be published this autumn. The strategy will include expectations of employers, healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals for improving well-being in the workplace.