This paper looks at barriers to employment for people with mental health problems and at efforts that are being made to support their efforts to find and sustain work. Barriers include: stigma and discrimination; low expectations and a lack of resources; financial disincentives. There is some discussion of government policy and the Pathways to Work scheme.
The section on developing new ways of working lists some key ways in which people with mental health problems can be helped to find and retain jobs. These include: re-designing vocational and day services; vocational rehabilitation; the Access to Work Scheme; provision of appropriate primary care. It concludes by looking at employers and the case for developing effective programmes with which to manage mental health at work.