WIREDGOV

The rising number of working days lost to mental illness creates huge personal suffering and huge costs to the economy.  We need to do more to help people with mental illness stay in work, Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, says in her latest annual report focusing on the mental health of the nation.

With the number of working days lost to stress, depression & anxiety increasing by 24% since 2009, the CMO has called for NICE to analyse the cost benefit of fast-tracking access to treatment for working people who may fall out of work due to mental illness.  Rapid access to treatment could improve people’s chances of staying in work.  The CMO also recommends simple changes to help people with mental illness stay in work by offering flexible working hours and employers making early & regular contact with employees on sick leave.

• CMO's annual report: employment is good for mental health
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