I believe targeting employment outcomes will drastically improve mental health outcomes if it's the right employment.
Money, socialisation and purpose are three obvious benefits which will create improvements in a number of domains. There are other benefits too such as integration of disabled people into mainstream society.
What I've not done enough of is focus on risks, weaknesses and alternative solutions.
An obvious risk is pushing someone into work when they're not able or ready. Reasonable adjustments at work and volunteering before starting work provide stages of return to work. Therapeutic earnings is another stepping stone or a permanent stable employment solution. A longer period where benefits are continued would be useful and if this were increased to a year It would provide a solid safety net.
No one should be forced to work but the potential to increase income and therefore quality of life is an effective carrot on a stick. As I've mentioned before, I have no solution as to how to increase the income of those who can't or won't work other than raising benefits.
The environment or the role may be inappropriate and the impact of this risk could outweigh other benefits. In my mind's eye I envisage a happy, sociable, fun and inclusive work culture as a rough sketch of the 'right' (really my personal idea of right) though I'm sure there are definitions.
The role is vital too but I'm bored so I'll end it here.
- sent from my smartphone
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