Study highlights stigma of mental illness

Only a fifth of people with mental health problems in Ireland are employed largely because of the stigma and prejudice which surround such illness.

This is one of the key findings of a new report on mental health and social inclusion published today by National Economic and Social Forum (NESF).

The report identifies employment as the best protection against the social exclusion of people with mental health problems.

But it found that some 80 per cent of people with severe and enduring mental ill-health in Ireland were without employment.

Stigma and discrimination were identified as the greatest barriers to social inclusion. The study highlighted the fact that many employers had negative attitudes which posed risks for employees in disclosing a mental health difficulty.

It also noted that those with recent mental ill-health experience found the workplace more challenging and reported more negative attitudes among employers.

The NESF also found that only 20 per cent of Irish companies had a written policy on mental health, yet nearly all employers would welcome information and guidance in this area.

NESF chairwoman Dr Maureen Gaffney said: "For too long, mental ill-health has been dealt with purely as a medical problem with service users, their families and over-stretched public services left to cope."

"But it has very significant, wide-ranging and long-lasting economic and social costs, not only for the individual and their families, but for society at large," Dr Gaffney said.

In economic terms alone, the costs of mental health amount to 3-4 per cent of GDP in Europe, today's report said.

It also highlighted an increased incidence of stress in the workplace, which now accounts for over 30 per cent of absenteeism in Europe, costing at least €20 billion a year in lost time and health bills.

The NESF said its research showed that more than one in six of employees (16 per cent) said they had experienced mental ill-health in the last two years.

Dr Gaffney said: "Stigma and discrimination are the greatest barriers to social inclusion, quality of life and recovery for people with mental ill-health."