Lancet Study Documents Impacts of Financial Crisis on Mental Health 27/03/2013
A new report in The Lancet has shown that the financial crisis has resulted in increases in levels of depression. This is due to a combination of rises in unemployment and reductions in social welfare and health services.
The study found that Greece, in particular has been affected negatively in terms of mental health suicide rates and physical health indicators.
The conference aims to cultivate partnerships incorporating science, policy and programmes. It offers an opportunity to convene policy makers, researchers, practitioners, and those living with a mental illness and their families to share and learn about effective policies and strategies for promotion and prevention.
Plan for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work – MIELI 2009 03/12/2010
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland has published the proposals of the Mieli 2009 (Mind 2009) working group that was appointed to develop proposals for mental health and substance abuse work in years to come. The plan outlines the core principles and priorities for the future of mental health and substance abuse work until 2015, starting from the premise that these issues play a major role in public health. For the first time in Finland, this plan is setting joint objectives for this work at the national level.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) looked at the cost of mental health leaves from employers' point of view and found that covering a mental-health leave costs companies twice as much as a short-term physical disability leave.
John Henderson - A True Champion and Friend 27/01/2010
In early January we heard the sad news the Dr. John Henderson, a member of the ProMenPol project team whom many of you will have known and respected, died on the 4th January. John passed away peacefully at home, in the company of his family, and after a characteristically determined and dignified fight with cancer.
Working our Way to Better Mental Health: A Framework for Action 04/01/2010
Mental ill-health presents a major challenge to the well-being of our society, and the strength of our economy. It blights lives, traps people in poverty and prevents the country harnessing the talents and potential of hundreds of thousands of people. Government is determined to lead the way in meeting this challenge.
Poor mental health is very common. At any one time, one in three of our working-age population may be experiencing some kind of distress or mental health condition such as depression. The vast majority, fortunately, will recover quickly. But for far too many, the result is a lengthy sickness absence or long-term unemployment.
Indeed mental ill-health is now the most common reason for claiming health-related benefits and 86 per cent remain on the benefits for more than three months (compared to 76 per cent for all other claimants). And the evidence shows that the longer people are detached from the labour market, the less chance they have of returning to work.
This is even more of a risk when, as now, global economic problems are pushing up jobless figures around the world. We have learnt from past recessions of the real danger of short-term job loss turning into permanent unemployment and are determined not to repeat these mistakes.
The positive link between employment and mental health is absolutely clear. Research shows people generally enjoy better mental health when they are in work. In contrast, the longer individuals are absent or out of work, the more likely they are to experience depression or anxiety. Work can therefore play a vital role in improving everyone’s well-being and mental health.
Of this we estimate around one third - £30-40 billion – can be attributed to mental ill-health, in lost production, and National Health Service (NHS) treatment. And it does not count the additional and hidden cost of people with mental health conditions still in jobs but working beneath their full potential.
A modern economy cannot afford such waste of individual talent nor the high welfare costs. We are determined to step up our efforts to support people in work and to help those out of work to return quickly to fulfilling and rewarding employment.
Sickies and Long-Term Absence give Employers a Headache – CBI/AXA Survey 24/11/2009
This document describes the emerging gap between public and private sector absence rates in the UK.
Absence from work cost the UK economy £13.2 billion last year as teh average employee took almost seven (6.7) days off sick, while the gulf between absence rates in the public sector and the provate sector grew to a record level. The survey highlights the need for a new approach to the management of long-term absence