A fundamental review of the benefits system is urgently needed if people with mental health problems...
A fundamental review of the benefits system is urgently needed if people with mental health problems are to be helped back to work, according to the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB).
According to the charity, only 18% of people suffering from a mental illness are in work, which is the lowest employment rate of all disabled groups. It also claims that the benefits system focuses on physical symptoms and disabilities, meaning many mentally ill people fail to get the benefits to which they should be entitled.
Constant reassessment of claims also results in significant breaks in income and debt, which exacerbates mental health problems, claims CAB.
"The Government's agenda to get people with mental health problems into work, while admirable in its intent, needs to take into account the fact that many people may never be well enough to work," said David Harker, chief executive of CAB.
"The benefits system should underpin people's security and provide support when they are unwell. But too often it is doing the reverse."
