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Electronic Letters to:

EDITORIALS: Samuel B. Harvey, Max Henderson, Paul Lelliott, and Matthew Hotopf Mental health and employment: much work still to be done The British Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 194: 201-203 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Electronic letters published:

Rise in Unemployment and mental health: Crisis or opportunity?

Rebecca. A.K Lasseko   (15 July 2009)

Rise in Unemployment and mental health: Crisis or opportunity? 15 July 2009
Rebecca. A.K Lasseko, CT2 in psychiatry Learning Disability , Dewsbury district hospital, South West Yorkshire PFT Send letter to journal: Re: Rise in Unemployment and mental health: Crisis or opportunity? mt07rakl{at}leeds.ac.uk Rebecca. A.K Lasseko	It was interesting to read the editorial by Harvey et al1. The mental illnesses are the leading cause of sickness absence and incapacity benefits in Britain and elsewhere as noted in your editorial. Also the Dame Carol Black’s report recommended the need to adjust the criteria of being fit to return to work in order to encourage more people to return to work earlier 2. The editorial has also pointed out there are challenges which make the processes to returning to work more complicated such as stigma and discrimination. Furthermore you noted the mental health services may have to extend their remit and more resources are needed for this. The area, in which this editorial has not discussed and yet is of importance, is that of the rising levels of unemployment in Britain and its implication in the mental health. 1 in 4 unemployed people in Britain will have mental problems as indicated in the National statistic report 20013. The research on life event by Brown and Harris4 indicated that life events such as unemployment, increases the risks of mental health problems. Hence there will be an increase of mental health problems due to unemployment which will add to the burden of an already struggling economy. Moreover more resources will be needed in Primary and secondary care to look after an increasing number of people with mental health due to unemployment. This is a chicken and egg scenario, thus effort to offer more support in terms of coping strategies to those losing employment is paramount. Therefore they do not develop mental illnesses which will make it possible for them to return to work as well as encouraging those off sick to return to work as early as possible. Another issue when encouraging people suffering from depression and anxiety in returning to work is the jobs competition with people currently out of work who have no mental illness. People with mental illness more than often lack confidence after being off sick. This is an added disadvantage to these people in terms of job competitions. Most organizations are currently making more of their staff redundant. The question remains, are all people involved doing enough to support people out of employment to cope hence not develop mental health problems. Meanwhile are there more opportunities created to help return those people recovering back to work? Working people have healthier mental and psychological health. The rehabilitation and prevention work need to go hand in hand. This will reduce the chances of people entering the circle of poor mental health and its detrimental effect on the unemployed, or vice versa. References 1. Harvey S. B, Henderson. M, Lelliott. P, Hotopf. M Mental health and employment: much work still to be done. The British Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 194:201-203. 2. Black C. Working for a Healthier Tomorrow. The stationery office, 2008. 3. A longitudinal study of the Mental Health of Adults in Great Britain, Better or Worse. National statistics 2003 UK. 2003. 4. Brown GW, Harris T. Life events and illness. New York, Guildford Press. 1989.