Only one in three disclose mental health problems on job applications

Only one in three people who have experienced mental health
problems feel confident disclosing this information on job
application forms, according to a new report, writes
Katie Leason.

Yet nine out of 10 of those who were currently in employment had
told somebody at work about their mental health problems, and
generally felt supported and accepted.

The Mental Health Foundation report called
‘Out at Work’ is based on a survey of over 400 people with
personal experience of mental health problems. Three in 10
employees in the UK will experience mental health problems in a
year.

The foundation’s chief executive Ruth Lesirge said it was
essential that employers focus on people’s experience rather
than their diagnosis.

“Many of those who were in employment believed that they were
unique or extremely fortunate in receiving support from their
employer and being accepted by colleagues, perhaps because they
were comparing this with their earlier experiences,” she said.
“However it is still only a minority of people with mental health
problems who are in employment.”

The survey shows that less than half of people with psychosis,
schizophrenia or manic depression were in full time or part time
employment, and less than six out of 10 people with anxiety or
depression.

The report was launched to mark Mental Health Action Week which
runs from 31 March to 7 April.

‘Out of Work’ from www.mentalhealth.org.uk