National Strategy for Mental Health and Work welcomed
28th November 2007
Responding to the Government's announcement of a National Strategy for Mental Health and Work, Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) chief executive Susan Scott-Parker said:
"Peter Hain's promise of a ‘co-ordinated response across government' to improve the employment chances of people of working age who have mental health conditions is a welcome one.
"This initiative shows the Government is starting to listen to employers and those working in the mental health sector who have long been calling for joined-up action.
"As people with mental ill health make up 40 per cent of incapacity benefit claimants, it is vital for the Government's aim of full employment as well as for employers generally that this talent pool doesn't go to waste.
"However, the strategy needs proper ownership in government in order to have successful engagement with business.
"Despite previous consultations between Government and business, the welfare system remains largely unresponsive to employers' needs. We would like to know how this strategy is going to help Government, business and support agencies do things differently."
‘Recruitment and mental health'
This year Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) called on government and employers to work differently if people with mental health problems are to be recruited more easily.
A report from EFD and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, launched on World Mental Health Day, 10 October, ‘Recruitment and mental health' encourages employers to take a more positive approach to employees who have, or have had, mental health problems.
The report also calls for government to put an emphasis on mental health in its disability awareness campaigns, with increased support for employers through recruitment services.
Ends
Notes to editors
Media enquiries, please contact:
Liz Nightingale, Communications Manager
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: liz.nightingale@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020
About Employers' Forum on Disability
Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 400 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.