An article examined the value of participatory approaches within interventions aimed at promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace, and the implications for policy and practice.
Source: Mark Robinson, Sylvia Tilford, Peter Branney, and Karina Kinsella, 'Championing mental health at work: emerging practice from innovative projects in the UK', Health Promotion International, Volume 29 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the impacts of poor mental and physical health on the propensity to be employed. It said: that either form of ill-health had a significant effect on the propensity to be employed; that the combined effect could be more influential than having either activity-limiting physical health or accomplishment-limiting mental health issues; and that there were gender and ethnicity divides.
Source: Gail Pacheco, Dom Page, and Don Webber, 'Mental and physical health: re-assessing the relationship with employment propensity', Work, Employment and Society, Volume 28 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
An article examined two models of employment intervention for people with severe mental illness, reporting the outcomes of trials in five mental health teams in the United Kingdom. Comparing work outcomes for the two interventions after one year, it said that an employment service could be introduced effectively into mental health teams such that positive outcomes were achieved, but the provision of an additional, dedicated, specialist resource was more effective than asking existing staff to deliver the intervention alongside their other roles.
Source: Steven Marwaha, Eleanor Gilbert, and Sarah Flanagan, 'Implementation of an employment intervention in mental health teams: a naturalistic 1-year employment outcome study in people with severe mental illness', Journal of Mental Health, Volume 23 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-May
A report examined issues related to mental health and work in the United Kingdom. It said that there was a high level of awareness of the importance of mental health at work in the United Kingdom, but a number of challenges remained. Acknowledging recent and ongoing reforms, the report said that it would be important: to implement reforms rigorously; to modify and strengthen those not yet delivered; and to close the remaining gaps identified in the report.
Source: Mental Health and Work: United Kingdom, OECD
Links: Executive summary | Ch 1 abstract | Ch 2 abstract | Ch 3 abstract | Ch 4 abstract | OECD press release | Work Foundation press release | Guardian report
Date: 2014-Feb
A report for the Greater London Authority estimated the extent and impact of mental ill health in London. It said that almost £7.5 billion was spent each year in areas such as health and social care, benefits to support people living with mental ill health, and costs to education and criminal justice. Once indirect costs, such as lost productivity and reduced quality of life, were added, the report estimated the total cost to be £26 billion each year.
Source: The London Mental Health Report, Greater London Authority
Links: Report | GLA press release
Date: 2014-Jan
A report examined how to improve employment and health outcomes for people with common mental health problems in the United Kingdom. The report made a number of recommendations, including: for using evidence-based models to provide services that combine employment and mental health support; to increase integration between existing treatment and employment services; and for timely access to co-ordinated treatment and employment support for a greater number of people with common mental health problems.
Source: Christian van Stolk, Joanna Hofman, Marco Hafner, and Barbara Janta, Psychological Wellbeing and Work: Improving service provision and outcomes, Department for Work and Pensions/Department of Health
Links: Report | Written ministerial statement
Date: 2014-Jan