The disability of depression is not sufficiently recognised
Following independent research carried out by Depression alliance and RADAR, the Priory Group is calling on the Government to class depression as a disability to improve people’s opportunities for employment and other forms of social participation.
The independent mental healthcare provider supported the charities Depression Alliance and RADAR to carry out research to explore whether linking health policy with policy on disability employment and inclusion might help reduce job loss, long-term economic inactivity and isolation for those living with depression.
The World Health Organisation has declared depression to be the greatest cause of disability world-wide, yet depression receives relatively little attention in disability policy. Less than 1% of the Access to Work disability programme resource goes on people with any mental health condition.
Economic inactivity can trigger or exacerbate depression, making getting into employment more difficult. Depression often co-occurs with other challenges – from physical health conditions to addictions or relationship breakdown. Enabling people with depression to work and to take control of their lives, leads to major benefits for individuals their families and society.
The report explored what would happen if the worlds of depression and disability were brought together to achieve greater employment opportunities and chances to contribute for people with depression
It made ten recommendations targeted at policy makers, commissioners, employers, front-line service staff and people with experience of depression, disability or both.
Professor Chris Thompson, chief medical officer at the Priory Group said: “This important research clearly shows most people living with depression think it is disabling. Yet the stark truth is that our systems and services do not seem to have caught up with this recognition.
“The disability sector has paid little attention to people with depression, which means people do not fully know their rights and new developments, like the Right to Control, have looked more at the needs of people with physical impairments needing to employ personal assistants than at the needs of people with depression, who might need to pay for support in order to work.
“At worst, health and social care services have assumed people with depression are unable to work and have not encouraged them. However, at the same time Job Centre Plus or other employment programmes are encouraging or even requiring the same person to seek employment. Individuals tend to be more likely to listen to their health professionals and can end up confused and also more hopeless than ever about their employment prospects.”
Emer O’Neill, chief executive of Depression Alliance said: “Depression Alliance and RADAR have been very pleased to work jointly on this report and hope that it signals a breaking down of boundaries between ‘worlds’ in the interests of the people we each serve.”
Liz Sayce, chief Executive of RADAR and author of the report said: “People with depression face as many barriers as people with physical impairments. We need the mental health equivalent of the ramp and the mobility scooter - simply fair chances and support to live a full life including the chance to work and contribute. Often depression runs like a thread through lives affected by other challenges - from physical ill health to racial discrimination. Supporting people with depression helps people to turn their lives around.
“Radar is delighted to be taking this important work forward with Depression Alliance.”
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