Thousands on benefit for mental health

Thousands of people with mental health conditions are spending years on the benefit, forcing some to hide their struggles to find employment.

Figures from the Ministry of Social Development show a troubling trend of increasing numbers of people becoming stuck on the benefit for years.

Nearly 55,000 people were receiving a benefit for mental health reasons in 2016, making it one of the highest illnesses or conditions putting people out of work.

A Palmerston North man, who did not want to be named for privacy reasons, said he had spent four years on the benefit.

‘‘You have got to be careful who you disclose it to. Some people are very understanding, but others are not. ‘‘I have made that mistake before.’’ Last year, 17,302 people with a mental health condition had been on a benefit for more than 10 years.

In the past four years, the problem has steadily grown. In 2013, 50,779 people claimed mental health conditions stopped them from working.

In 2013, 15,568 had been on a benefit for more than 10 years.

Yet benefits for other disorders and conditions, such as intellectual disability and cardio-vascular disorders, have dropped over the same period.

More people now receive a benefit for psychological and psychiatric conditions – such as stress, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia – than those with an intellectual disability, people with cancer, or with musculo-skeletal disorders.

Ministry of Social Development spokeswoman Kay Read said there was a service specifically for beneficiaries who have a diagnosed mental health condition, to help them into work.

Greater awareness of mental health

issues may be a contributing factor to more people getting the benefit, she said.

The ministry uses advice from health professionals to help it verify who is eligible for a benefit and when people may start preparing for a return to work or work in a limited way.

The Whaioro Trust supports people experiencing mental health problems into employment and training.

Manager Kelly Bevan said having a job made a huge difference to people.

‘‘[Being on a benefit] is very hard for them. It is not a choice.’’

The trust had a steady number of clients.

‘‘We would easily be dealing with 40 to 50 people a month.’’

Bevan said educating employers was key.

‘‘They start to realise that by employing people you are making a difference in someone’s life.’’

Mental Health Foundation research, development and advocacy manager Moira Clunie said many workplaces had a poor understanding of mental health.

‘‘People can feel vulnerable to losing their job or missing out on promotion opportunities if they are too open.’’

She said it was legitimate for a person not to disclose a mental health problem.

‘‘It is unlawful for an employer to treat an employee differently because of their experience of mental illness.’’

She hoped employees would be able to be open about their mental health.

That would allow people to get additional support, such as flexi-time or a quieter working space.