It is widely acknowledged that being out of work can be detrimental for someone’s physical and mental health and overall wellbeing. Conversely, for people with mental health problems work can be therapeutic, promote recovery, lead to better health outcomes, reduce the risk of long-term incapacity, reduce poverty and improve quality of life. In this context, work refers to voluntary, temporary, full and part-time work.

However, it is also acknowledged that for a small number of people (maybe 5-10%) work may be bad for their health and that work related stress can contribute towards mental health difficulties. The Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS) is an organisation which aims to prevent and alleviate the effects of occupational disease and injury and to enable those with limiting health problems to work. They provide information and advice for employed and unemployed people with work-related health problems. Advisors work in GP surgeries around the city. The beneficial effects of work depend on the nature and quality of the work and the support that workers have from their colleagues and employers. All in all though, the evidence demonstrates that ‘good work is good for you’.

The majority of people with mental health difficulties want to work in either a full-time, part-time or voluntary capacity. Unfortunately, they may face a wide range of barriers which prevent them from working such as lack of self-confidence, dealing with the side-effects of medication, the cyclical nature of some mental illnesses, lack of skills and up-to-date experience, lack of understanding and possible discrimination from employers on the grounds of their condition.

Fortunately, there is a wide range of support available within mental health services, supported employment schemes, mainstream employment services and in some workplaces to help people retain or regain employment.

The support relating to employment, training and education is called vocational support and covers a wide range of activities such as attending a pottery class to learn timekeeping skills, completing a computing course to learn work related skills, doing voluntary work, carrying out paid work in a supported work environment or being supported by the User Employment Services to gain and retain work with a mainstream employer.

The Time to Change anti-stigma campaign has put together a package of online information on their website - see  www.time-to-change.org.uk/need-support/support-workplace

Support is available either from within mental health services or from specialist services providing supported employment or support for people working or volunteering for a mainstream employer.

There is also support for people who are working but who are having difficulties holding down their jobs because of their mental health difficulties. The Make It Work Employment Retention scheme covering South and East Yorkshire offers free, impartial advice and support to employees and employers with the ain of job retention. Work Choice is an employment support programme managed by Sheffield City Council. The programme supports people who are out of work due to ill health or disability or for people with a disability who need additonal support to help them stay in work. Referrals can be made through Job Centre Plus. There are Disability Employment Advisors based in Job Centre Plus and occupational health advisors working in some GP practices.

Getting back to work and finding employment after a period of illness can be very daunting and the range of support can appear complex and confusing. Contacting one of the organisations listed in this guide or speaking with the care co-ordinator, for those who have one, can be a good first step. Advice about how getting back to work will affect benefit entitlement is available from the Sheffield Mental Health Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or local advice centre - see the Advice Sheffield website for a list or use the Services Directory.