Improving access to employment for people with mild/moderate mental health issues

Authors:
Brigitte Dingle, Kostakis Christodoulou and Susan Hearne

Presenters:
Brigitte Dingle
Health Inequalities Manager, NHS Brent, London, UK

Kostakis Christodoulou
Head of Health Promotion, NHS Brent, London, UK

Abstract
A recent Mental Health Needs Assessment highlighted issues including lifestyles issues around people with common mental health problems and employment. Data showed that a large number of people who were unemployed were in receipt of incapacity benefits relating to mental health. NHS Brent submitted a successful bid for funding to develop a pilot project to try to address some of these issues.

In order to support this initiative and inform the development of employment pathways in readiness for the launch of an IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service, NHS Brent have formed an IAPT Employment partnership between Brent Borough Council, Job Centre Plus, and Local Employment organisations, Education, Service Users and NHS Brent. (Joint Strategic Partnership Agreement, JSPA). Pathway partnerships addressing lifestyle issues also include Brent Stop Smoking Service, Dietetics, Health Trainers and Brent Community Sports Service. This is a one year pilot where clients who are unemployed or in employment but off sick through stress, anxiety or depression will be referred by two GP practices to an employment adviser who has been trained as a Level 2 stop smoking advisor.
The advisor will provide brief stop smoking intervention and refer smokers to the Brent stop Smoking Team.

Source of funding: Successful bid for funding of £50k for the initiative from the DH.

Declaration of interest: none