Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Activation or discouragement - the effect of enforced participation on the success of job-search training
- Authors:
- MALMBERG-HEIMONEN Ira, VUORI Jukka
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 8(4), December 2005, pp.451-467.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In recent years, there has been a shift in labour market policies towards enforcing unemployed workers’ participation in labour market programmes by means of financial sanctions. Requirements of activation and financial sanctions have changed the nature of social work and generated a conflict between client needs and policy requirements. This Finnish study investigates whether and how enforced participation modifies the impact of job-search training on re-employment and mental health. A total of 627 unemployed persons participated in this six-month follow-up study with a control group. In particular, those unemployed workers who were not able to meet the goal of the enforced initiatives by gaining employment are at risk of adverse mental health effects or even of discouragement on the labour market. The results of the follow-up study show that enforced participation did not increase re-employment; however it impaired the positive mental health impacts of the programme. Further analyses demonstrate that enforced participation in job-search training decreased re-employment among the longer-term unemployed workers. It is important that social workers acknowledge the risks that are involved with the enforcement for the more vulnerable groups of unemployed workers.
The association between labour force participation and being in income poverty amongst those with mental health problems
- Authors:
- SCHOFIELD Deborah J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 17(2), 2013, pp.250-257.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This cross sectional analysis examined the relationship between labour force participation, mental health conditions and being in income poverty amongst 45–64-year old Australians. Data were drawn from the 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. Those not in the labour force due to depression and other mental health conditions were significantly more likely to be in income poverty than those not in the labour force with no chronic health condition. Amongst those with depression and other mental health conditions, those who were in employment were significantly less likely to be in income poverty than those who have had to retire because of the condition. The authors conclude that association between leaving the workforce due to mental health problems and poverty status suggests that improving efforts to increase the employment of individuals with mental health conditions, or prevent the onset of the conditions, will likely improve living standards.
Common mental health problems at work: what we now know about successful interventions: a progress review
- Author:
- SEYMOUR Linda
- Publisher:
- Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 19p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report examines recent international research evidence on how to help people with depression and anxiety to stay in work or to return after a period of ill health. In 2005 the British Occupational Health Research Foundation published a systematic evidence review of published evidence for effective interventions that help people with depression and anxiety to remain in or return to work. This paper presents the results of an update of that review, examining papers in English from the international literature published between 2004 and the end of 2008. The paper reviews the findings of the updated evidence against the backdrop of recent developments in policy and practice, as well as an increasing understanding and concern about the human and economic costs associated with mental health problems and work. A number of key messages for research, policy and practice are presented. In particular, the evidence confirms that people with common mental health problems do not have to be completely well to return to work, and that, for many, going back to work actually helps their recovery.
Mental health and employment
- Author:
- TRADES UNION CONGRESS
- Publisher:
- Trades Union Congress
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
Building on early TUC research and a 2016 analysis of official employment statistics, this report looks at the employment of disabled people, and in particular examines the employment of people with depression and mental health problems. The analysis shows that there is a significant difference in the employment rates of people with depression and mental health problems, compared to non-disabled people. The report argues that although the employment rate for disabled people is increasing, this is happening too slowly for the government to reach its 2015 commitment of halving the disability employment gap by 2020. It makes policy recommendations for both employers and government in order to help disabled people stay in work, ensure they have access to justice if they face discrimination in employment, and have the necessary support when they are unemployed and looking for work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Symptoms of depression and their effects on employment
- Authors:
- STEADMAN Karen, TASKILA Tyna
- Publisher:
- The Work Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 79
- Place of publication:
- London
This study looks at the role that symptoms associated with depression can have on an individual’s ability to find a job, or remain in employment. It also explores the evidence around which interventions and support might improve employment outcomes for people experiencing these symptoms, and make a series of recommendations on how employment outcomes for this group may be enhanced. The study found that specific symptoms, including low mood, difficulty concentrating, and negative thinking, can have a considerable effect on employment outcomes, and that poor awareness and access to appropriate, evidence-based services are forming barriers to improving rates of employment for people with depression – many of whom want to work, and are able to work. The report was informed by a review of the recent academic literature on symptoms of depression and employment outcomes, and through interviews with experts in the field. (Edited publisher abstract)
Best practice in relation to seeking and maintaining employment for people with depression and other mental illnesses
- Authors:
- MUNRO Ian, EDWARD Karen-Leigh
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 6(2), Autumn 2009, pp.229-250.
- Publisher:
- South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust and University of Huddersfield
Those who experience mental illness find reconnecting into employment difficult and complex. Aiming to evaluate the Disability Open Employment Services (now called the Disability Employment Network) developed by the Australian Federal Government to assist clients with health disabilities to seek and maintain employment, this pilot study was an in-depth exploration of employment factors and their impact on clients with depressive disorders and other mental illnesses who receive vocational support services. The study used a mixed method quantitative-qualitative approach with two participant groups, with a survey form and semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The findings were that male participants reported less symptom interference with work duties than females and reported lower levels of mental health than females, there was an association of employment goal on the degree to which symptoms interfered with work duties where those whose goal was full-time work experienced significantly more interference from their symptoms than others, and there was fragmentation of services and variability in the educational preparation of employment counsellors. The authors conclude that further research is required into the factors which clients perceive as enabling or inhibiting their participation in employment support services and how employment support services and mental health organisations can work together.
Work-related distress in the 1990S - a real increase in ill health?
- Authors:
- STANSFELD Stephen A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 7(1), August 2008, pp.26-31.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Across the 1990s there has been a marked increase in reports of work-related psychological distress in the UK. This paper users the results of the most recent Occupational Health Decennial supplement, published by the Office for National Statistics and the Health and Safety Executive, based on nationally representative data sources on distress at work, working conditions, sickness absence and psychiatric morbidity to examine the reasons for the apparent increase in work-related psychological distress.
The contribution of working conditions and social support to the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders among male and female employees
- Authors:
- PLAISIER Inger, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 2(64), January 2007, pp.401-410.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Poor working conditions may be an important source of stress and may therefore contribute to the development of depressive and anxiety disorders. Social support may act as a buffer and protect against the development of depression or anxiety in the face of poor working conditions. With longitudinal data from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS), the effect of working conditions and social support on the incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders was examined among 2646 working men and women, aged 18 through 65 years. Three dimensions of self reported working conditions were assessed: psychological demands, decision latitude and job security. Social support was assessed through validated scales for daily emotional support. About 10.5% of working women and 4.6% among working men developed an incident depressive and/or anxiety disorder over 2 years. Psychological demands predicted the incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders in both men and women (RR per score increase=2.29, 95% CI: 1.44–3.63), whereas decision latitude and job security did not. Social support protected against the incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders. This effect was stronger for men compared to women. Social support did not buffer the unfavorable mental effect of working conditions. Women were more likely to report low levels of decision latitude, whereas men reported higher psychological demands. Working conditions did not explain sex differences in the incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders.
Stress and mental health in the workplace: Mind week report, May 2005
- Author:
- ROBERTSON Suzannah
- Publisher:
- MIND
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 42p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Workplace stress can create mental health problems, or act as a trigger for existing mental health problems which may otherwise have been successfully managed. There are a number of key actions that employers can take in order to encourage a mentally healthy workplace. They should: demonstrate and encourage awareness, understanding and openness in relation to the issues of stress and mental health in the workplace; adopt and adhere to formal policies on stress and mental health in the workplace and commit to addressing both issues; and allow employees to make reasonable adjustments, for example, flexi-time, working from home or quiet rooms to help them to manage mental health problems and work related stress issues. For employees with mental health problems, searching for and applying for jobs can be stressful experiences in themselves, so it is important to recognise and prepare for this. Relationships with colleagues are also a crucial factor in the experience of stress at work for employees with mental health problems. Therefore, it is important to develop supportive relationships and friendships at work.
Mindful nation UK: report by the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG)
- Author:
- MINDFULNESS ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
- Publisher:
- Mindfulness Initiative
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 82
- Place of publication:
- London
The final report following a 12-month inquiry by the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group, which was set up to review the evidence and current best practice in mindfulness training and to develop recommendations for the implementation of mindfulness in public policy. The inquiry reviewed the research evidence and also heard first-hand accounts on the impact of mindfulness. The report considers four areas where mindfulness could pay a major role in public policy: health, education, employment and criminal justice. It discusses the role mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can play in the prevention of recurrent depression; how it can help foster child development and wellbeing in school; its potential to tackle workplace stress and mental ill health; and the potential of mindfulness for reducing violence in prisons and re-offending rates. Within each area the report presents a summary of recent evidence, recommendations for implementation; recommendations for future research, and short case studies demonstrating its impact. The final chapter identifies five areas which need to be addressed for the implementation of mindfulness to be effective: the training of mindfulness teachers; extending reach and access to services; maintaining the quality of mindfulness-based interventions; maintaining the integrity of mindfulness teaching; and effective regulation of the profession. (Edited publisher abstract)