Almost HALF of people claiming benefits suffer from a mental illness
THE alarming march of mental illness is laid bare in new figures
showing almost half of those on benefits suffer with the condition.
Never-before-seen data reveals a near 300 per cent rise in the number of
people whose “invisible illnesses” mean they cannot work.
In 2010 just 221,000 with mental disorders were in receipt of out of work benefits.
But official statistics show the figure leapt to 861,000 last year - a rise of 289 per cent.
All the claims have been certified as genuine either by work capability assessments or GPs
Those with conditions like bipolar disorder, severe depression,
obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia now account for 46 per
cent of those paid Employment and Support Allowance.
The figure is the highest in the 70-year history of the welfare state,
according to officials at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Last night Tom Pollard, of mental health charity Mind, said: “A large
proportion of people who currently need support from benefits do so
because of their mental health problems, which is why it’s so important
the Government gets back to work support right for this group.
“The current benefits system doesn’t provide the right support to help
people into work and puts far too much emphasis on pressuring people to
undertake activities, under the threat of losing their benefits.
“This can cause a great deal of distress and negatively impact on
people’s mental health, making it even more difficult to get into work.
“We want to see people being given personalised ongoing support help
them move into appropriate work when they are ready to do so.
“People with mental health problems can and do make a valuable
contribution to the workplace, but many will need extra support to
overcome these barriers, such as employers being willing and able to
make adjustments to accommodate them.”
Shockingly, just one in three suffering a mental illness are employed
compared to 58 per cent who battle an assortment of health complaints
but hold down a job.
There are now 1.8million people in the UK receiving ESA.
The latest figures include those who were previously paid the now defunct incapacity benefit.
For the first 13 weeks those receiving ESA get up to £57.35-a-week if
they are aged under 25 and up to £72.40-a-week if they are aged 25 or
over.
Afterwards, claimants receive up to £101.15-a-week if they are placed in
a work-related activity group or up to £108.15 a week if they go to a
support group.
The Government defines a mental health condition as a disability if it
has a long-term effect on “normal day-to-day activity” in accordance
with the Equality Act 2010.
A condition is defined “long-term” if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12-months.
Assessors class normal day-to-day activities like using a computer or interacting with people.
The Mental Health Foundation says one in four Britons will experience
some kind of mental health problem during the course of a year.
Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common disorder and women more at risk than men.
Since 2010 the Government has spent £3.5million on helping mental health
sufferers with extras costs associated with their conditions.
But millions continue to suffer in silence and are afraid to seek help
from their employer, fearing their condition could be seen as a
weakness.
Minister for disabled people Mike Penning said: “If you have a broken
ankle it’s clear what treatment you need. But mental health conditions
still carry an outdated stigma in workplaces, preventing people from
asking for help."
Express
