This week sees the launch of four important publications that will shape how we approach mental health and employment over the coming years.

Working our way to better mental health: a framework for action

Working our way to better mental health is the first ever Great Britain-wide mental health and employment strategy, addressing well-being at work for all and better employment results for people with mental health conditions in and out of work.
For more information and to download a copy of the document, visit the Health, Work and Well-being website

Realising ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition

Realising ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)-commissioned, independent review led by Rachel Perkins. It examines how we can strengthen employment, health and wider state support to help people with mental conditions on out of work benefits.
Download the review and related documents from the DWP website.

Work, Recovery and Inclusion

Work, Recovery and Inclusion is a new government delivery strategy that responds and builds on the recommendations from Realising ambitions. The report is the culmination of the Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Task Force's work with three other Government departments – Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions. For more information and to download the Work, Recovery and Inclusion report, visit the Cabinet Office website.

New Horizons: A shared vision for mental health

New Horizons: A shared vision for mental health is a cross-government report produced by the Department of Health including commitments to action by 11 government departments. For the first time it sets out a new approach with the twin aims of improving people’s quality of life and well-being, and improving the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health.
For more information and to download a copy of New Horizons, visit the DH website.

Shift's employment resources

Shift has a range of resources to help employers talk about mental health in the workplace and to support and manage staff who have mental health conditions. Shift's resources include:

Companion guide to Working our way to better mental health: a framework for action
The companion guide to Working our way to better mental health was produced by Shift and Health, Work and Well-being (HWWB) and contains a summary of the strategy commitments and up-to-date links to relevant online resources.
Download the document from the HWWB website

Life in the Office films and learning tools
Life in the Office is a series short films designed to promote discussion of mental health and mental illness in the workplace. Employers can also download quizzes and worksheets that can be used as part of education and awareness raising programmes.

Shift Review Panel
The independent Shift Review Panel helps you find the best quality-checked mental health information for employers. The panel can also help organisations looking to produce new materials about mental health and employment.

Shift Line Managers' Resource
Shift's recently updated Line Managers' Resource gives practical advice for managing and supporting people with mental health conditions in the workplace.

Shift Video Seminar
Graham Thornicroft and Diana Rose of the Institute of Psychiatry discuss mental health and employment. Graham and Diana also take part in a role play of a meeting to scope reasonable adjustments for an employee returning to work after a period of illness.

Tags: employment, dh, dwp, hwwb, cabinetoffice, bis, shift

New vision to make mental health everyone’s business

Urban allotments, reading groups and computer training for the over 50s are just some of the good practice initiatives featured as part of a new approach to public mental health and well-being, announced by Care Services Minister Phil Hope today.

‘New Horizons’ marks a new era in mental health. It sets out a dynamic new approach to improving well-being for the whole population, aiming for the first time to create a powerful alliance that can target the root causes of poor mental health.

The consultation launched today was developed with a wide range of partners, all of whom have a vital role to play. As well as health services, the response of local authorities and education will be critical. From schools to employers, and the NHS to the criminal justice system, New Horizons makes mental health everyone’s business.

Click the 'Read More' link below for more information Read More...

Tags: dh, newhorizons