Detention does not harm job prospects

People who are admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act
1983 do not suffer reduced job prospects as a result, according to
a survey released this week.

The study into 174 employers’ attitudes towards mental health
issues finds that sickness records and medical opinions of
applicants’ fitness to work form the basis of decisions whether to
employ someone.

It also finds that most companies would want to discuss mental
health issues with an applicant who revealed past mental illness,
and over half said they would want to speak to the applicant’s
GP.

The research, published this week by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists, concludes there is no evidence for warning patients
that detention under the Mental Health Act could harm their job
prospects.