Mental illness and impact on work

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 post-traumatic 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.”

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.