Research suggests that the longer a person stays out of work as a result of incapacity, the less likely they are to return. This has consequences for their health and for their ability to fully participate in the community.
Consultations as part of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy (the Strategy) revealed the need for more information about the Australian Government’s employment support system to help people with mental illness find a job, stay in, or return to the workforce.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations brochure “work and your mental health” has been developed as part of the Department’s contributions to the Council of Australian Governments National Action Plan on Mental Health.
The work and your mental health brochure is a resource for General Practitioners to assist them in discussions with patients about the benefits of work to mental health. The brochure provides information about the role work can have in recovery from mental illness. It also includes tips on planning a return to work.
The brochure is also useful for others who have a role in assisting people who have a mental health condition.
One service that is available is support from a Disability Employment Service to help people who are at risk of losing their job due to the impact of mental illness. Disability Employment Services can work with the employee and their employer to implement strategies to be effective at work.
People may directly contact a local Disability Employment Service provider to seek support if their job is at risk due to their mental illness. The contact details of local Disability Employment Service providers can be located on the Australian JobSearch website, at the link in the related links part on this page.
GPs and anyone seeking further information can speak to a JobAccess adviser on 1800 464 800 about supports available to help people with mental illness to find or stay in employment or to return to work after a period of absence.
The brochure can be requested through JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or access through the links below:
Work and your Mental Health Brochure (37.9KN RTF)
Work and your Mental Health Brochure (200KB PDF)
Work and your Mental Health Brochure Print Version (200KB PDF)