Just half of those with mental health issues are in employment

‘We need to see more understanding of mental health problems’

PEOPLE with mental illness face an “uphill struggle” when it comes to work – with only half of sufferers in Leicestershire employed.

Figures from the NHS have revealed that 50% of people suffering from a mental illness in the area were employed at the end of 2019.

That compares to 76% of the general population.

It means an estimated 30,400 people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness are out of work across Leicestershire.

In Leicester, just 45% of people with a mental illness are employed, compared to 71% of the general population.

Meanwhile, some 53% of people with a mental illness in the rest of Leicestershire are employed – slightly further behind the average of 79% of all people living in the area.

As well as conditions such as depression and anxiety, mental illness can include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as learning difficulties or disabilities.

Charities warn that the stigma that still exists around mental illness is part of the problem.

Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind, says: “Despite huge improvements in societal attitudes surrounding mental health, gaps in employment rates and pay between disabled and non-disabled staff highlights the uphill struggle many people still face in the workplace.

“People with mental health problems can and do make a valuable contribution to the workplace, but despite this, around 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems fall out of work every year.

“A lack of understanding often staff are support and means too not able to reach their potential and progress. We’re keen to see this employment gap close but it’s also really important people are supported to find the right kind of work if and when they are ready – employment that is flexible and suited to each individual’s unique skills and ambitions.

“Many employees with mental health problems aren’t aware of the greater rights and protections they could be entitled to, meaning they are often left unable to challenge discrimination, as well as missing out on crucial workplace protections which could help them stay in work.”

Nationally, only 50% of people with a mental illness are employed, compared to 77% of the general population.

That varies from 51% of people with depression, to just 32% of people with learning difficulties.

The gap is also worse for men than it is for women, with 49% of men that have been diagnosed with a mental illness employed compared to 81% of all men.

For women, the figure stands at 51% of those with a mental illness, and 72% of the general population.

Black and ethnic minority people with a mental illness also face a bigger employment gap than white people, as do older people compared to younger people.

Chris O’Sullivan, head of workplace wellbeing at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Disclosure is a major issue. It’s not always OK to admit a mental health problem.

“Stigma and discrimination are reasonable fears – we’ve come a long way but we aren’t there yet, particularly for people with mental health issue that are seen as more severe or less understood – like schizophrenia, OCD or personality disorders.

“We need to see more understanding of mental health problems that are ongoing – it’s becoming OK to talk about a past issue, but ongoing issues still cause concern.

“Often, people with mental health problems also face selfstims – where we can come to believe we aren’t good enough for a job, will get sacked, or don’t deserve opportunities. That’s hard to overcome.”

The good news is that the gap is shrinking, both nationally and in Leicestershire.

The 50% of people with a mental illness that were employed in the area at the end of last year is up from 45% in 2018.

Danielle Hamm, associate director of campaigns and policy at Rethink Mental Illness, said: “It’s really encouraging that the number of people living with mental illness who are in employment is increasing.

“There is growing recognition of our legal right to ask for reasonable adjustments in the workplace which can remove some of the barriers to being able to apply for or carry out a job.

“However, it’s important to acknowledge that some people living with mental illness may experience periods when they are unable to work, and it’s important that they are supported throughout any periods of unemployment so that they are supported in their recovery.”

Mental health charities warn that when the welfare system is hostile and based on penalties for non-compliance, it can lead to people being forced into jobs that aren’t right, or where it’s not possible to disclose distress.

Bad experiences can also make it harder for people with a mental illness who are looking for work to try again.

They want the government to look at changes that can be made to the benefits system going forward to ensure that no one is put at risk of falling into poverty because they are too unwell.