Extra support offered to mental health patients at work

Health at work has been put on the agenda by the government, which has unveiled its first ever National Strategy for Mental Health and Employment, set to be published this autumn.

The report will include the views of employers, those in the healthcare profession, businesses and individuals on how wellbeing in the workplace can be improved for staff with mental health conditions.

Furthermore, support for such workers is also set to be improved as part of the project, which will include recommendations from mental health expert Dr Rachel Perkins and Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, who will advise on the best ways to encourage such employees to return to work.

Commenting on the news, Jim Knight, minister for employment and welfare reform, said: “Our plans to offer the right help early on can end the downward spiral of people falling out of work into sick leave and onto benefits.”

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The news comes as Badenoch & Clark Employment Study revealed that 91 per cent of employees have admitted to feeling stressed at work.

Take part on our poll on attitudes to stress in the workplace – on the homepage here.