Most individuals with mental health problems can work normally and effectively.  They can contribute as much to your organisation as individuals with physical health problems, and in many cases they can offer more. 

Mental health problems are not rare, and in most cases individuals can be expected to make a complete recovery.  The majority of the population will suffer from a mental health problem at some time in their working lives.  With good support from employers in many cases there is no need to take any time off work. 

Where a period of sickness absence is needed, there are important things that management can do to minimise absence and help individuals back to work.  In many cases returning to work is the best treatment and will lead to a much more rapid recovery. Recent research by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has demonstrated the key role played by work.

In some cases, going off sick can make matters worse, and the longer the individual remains off sick the harder it can be to get back to work.  Early action by management, often supported by occupational health professionals, can in many cases shorten absence dramatically to the benefit of both employee and employer.

We can help management work positively to understand mental health issues, successfully employ individuals with mental health problems, and help individuals who have been off sick to come back to work with appropriate rehabilitation programmes.  We can help keep them there, and help identify reasonable adjustments to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.