New series examines work, money and mental health recovery |
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| Thursday, 10 June 2010 |
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Work and money have always been hotly debated topics in mental health and, in the current economic climate, these discussions have, if anything, become more heated. In recognition of this we are introducing a short series of articles to examine the world of work, money and mental health recovery, and for the first time are offering you the opportunity to shape and inform the discussion via our website. For some, the increasing emphasis on the concept of recovery in policy and planning documents has been viewed as a loosely-veiled attempt to put pressure on people to get a job and reduce the number of people on state benefits. For others, paid work, and the valued social role it can provide, is central to their recovery. From our own research we have found that paid work can be an important support for recovery, but that more needs to be done to create ‘mentally healthy’ workplaces that put flexibility at the heart of their approach. There is also a need for initiatives that provide support for both people who are moving towards, and those already in paid employment. In the first article in this series we review some of the developing evidence relating to employment, including striking comparative data on international employment rates for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. With a new Westminster Government determined to make quick cuts in state spending, the welfare benefits review process rolls on and takes a new twist. In a future contribution we will review the UK Government’s latest thinking on welfare reform and ask what impact it might have on recovery. We will also examine the under-reported relationship between debt, mental health and recovery. To read SRN's first article International evidence supports the link between employment and recovery, click here |
See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.
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