Work and mental illness

Overview

• You could try different types of work, like voluntary, supported, part-time or full-time work.
• Work can affect your benefits. This depends on whether you get paid and the number of hours you work.
• Various organisations offer help and support with finding work.
• If you tell an employer that you have a disability it is illegal for them to treat you badly because of this.
• You may be eligible to ask your employer to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help you under the Equality Act 2010.

Types of work

What types of work could I try?

There are several options you can try such as:

• volunteering,
• part-time work,
• full-time work,
• self-employment,
• apprenticeships, and
• employment projects.

We look at these options in more detail below.

Volunteering

Voluntary work is a good starting point for getting into work.

The following are things to consider about voluntary work:

• You don’t get paid but you might get paid expenses.
• It can allow you to try out different roles and get a feel for what you are interested in.
• It can improve your chances of getting a paid job.
• It can be a good option if you have been out of work for a long time, or if you have a severe mental illness.

You can search for voluntary work by using the websites in the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the bottom of this page.

Part-time work

If you work part-time:

• you work but don’t work full-time, so you might work for say 10, 16 or 20 hours a week,
• you can ease yourself into work more slowly than you could in a full-time job,
• you will usually have to pay for lunch and travel out of the money you earn, and
• you can have the time to do other things during the day, such as:
  • going to therapy appointments,
  • doing some extra training, or
  • looking after your children.

Full-time work

Full-time work usually means working at least 35 hours a week.

If you want to work full-time after a period of illness think about the following things.

• What made you unwell.
• Ways of reducing stress if that was a problem before.
• If you need a change of job or role.
• Any reasonable adjustments you want to ask your employer about – see the section further down this page for more information.
• How work affects other areas of your life. This might be looking after your children or having time to do things you enjoy. This is known as ‘work – life balance’.

Self-employment

If you are self-employed:

• you work for yourself,
• you might have your own business,
• you don’t work for an employer who pays you a salary,
• you can decide how, where and when you do your work,
• you have to arrange paying your own tax,
• Sick pay rules are different to if you work for an employer, and
• your income might not be guaranteed in the same way as working for an employer.

You can set up a business in several ways, including as a:

• sole trader,
• partnership, or
• company.

You will have to think about how you will register, run the business and deal with any debts.

There are organisations that can give you information about self employment like:

• Business Support - provides free advice about setting up and running a business, and
• Business Debtline - gives advice about dealing with business debts.

You can find contact details for these organisations in the ‘Useful Contacts’ section at the bottom of this page.

You can also find out more information about being self-employed by clicking here: www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself.

Apprenticeships

You might know the type of job that you want to do. But you might not yet have the experience, skills or qualifications to do the job.

An apprenticeship may be a good option for you.

An apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to:

• learn on the job,
• get qualifications, and
• earn a small wage.

You can get an apprenticeship in a wide range of roles, including agriculture, horticulture, health, public services and leisure.

You can contact the National Apprenticeship Service for more information. Their details are in the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the end of this factsheet.

You can find out more information about apprenticeships by clicking this link: www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can find apprenticeships by clicking this link: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Employment projects

There are employment projects in some parts of the country. Some of these projects offer jobs to people with disabilities.

You may get ongoing support from a caseworker.

To find out if any employment projects are available in your area you can contact:

• your care co-ordinator, if you have one,
• a Disability Employment Adviser at your local Job Centre Plus, and
• the organisations Remploy, The Shaw Trust, Steps to Employment and The Richmond Fellowship - their details are in the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the bottom of this page.

Work and benefits

Will working affect my welfare benefits?

Whether working affects your welfare benefits can depend on:

• what benefits you are claiming,
• whether you are volunteering or doing paid work,
• how many hours a week you are working, and
• how much you are earning.

You should think carefully about whether you would be better off going back to work or staying on benefits. You can ask a benefits advice organisation to do a 'better off calculation' for you. But you might decide to work, even if you’re less better off as there are other benefits. Such as if it has a positive effect on your mental health.

You can get advice about how work will affect your benefits.

You can get advice from your local Citizens Advice office. You can find their contact details in the Useful contacts section at the bottom of this page.

You can also search for local benefits advisers by using the following websites:

Turn 2 Us: www.advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk
Advice UK: www.adviceuk.org.uk/products-services/advicefinder/

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can do some work and still get ESA. This is known as permitted work. Permitted work usually means you:

• work less than 16 hours, and
• earn up to £167 a week.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is not means tested. This means that it is not affected by your income, capital or savings. So, any money you earn by working will not affect the amount you get under PIP.

If you work, you can still get PIP as long as you meet the PIP criteria.

You can find more information about ‘Employment and support allowance’ and ‘Personal Independence Payment’ at: www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/money-benefits-and-mental-health/

Support to find work

What support is available to help me find work?

There are lots of schemes, programmes, organisations and training providers that can help you into work such as:

• Individual Placement and Support (IPS) schemes
• employment support through NHS talking therapy services
• national schemes
• local charities,
• national charities such as Shaw Trust, Remploy, Steps to Employment and the Richmond Fellowship,
• Bipolar UK Employment service,
• local authority schemes,
• help from social services,
• careers advisers, and
• support from friends and family.

You may have to be claiming benefits to use some of these services.

Details of some national charities and careers advice help can be found in the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the bottom of this page.

Different services offer different sorts of help. This may include:

• help with developing skills, abilities and experience,
• identifying suitable job opportunities,
• help with writing a CV,
• help with interview techniques,
• providing information about local job opportunities, and
• supporting you in work.

Not all of these options will be available where you live.

National schemes

Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), offers national schemes to help people access work.

• Access to Work
• The Work and Health Programme
• Intensive Personalised Employment Support

There is more detailed information about these schemes below.

Access to Work

Access to Work can help if you have a physical or mental health condition or issue.

Through Access to Work you can apply for:

• Support with managing your mental health at work. You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to apply for mental health support.
• Money to help you pay for practical support with your work. This is called an Access to Work grant.
• Money to pay for communication support at job interviews.

Any money you are awarded will not affect your benefits. You will also not need to pay this money back.

Am I eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for access to work you must:

• Have a physical or mental issue that means you need to support to do your job, or
• Have a physical or mental issue that means you need support to get to and from work, and
• Be 16 or over, and
• Be in a paid position, including self-employment, work trial or apprenticeship or
• Be about to start a paid position or return to a paid position.

What support can I get?
What help you’ll get depends on your needs. It can include things like:

• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
• a communication support worker to help you at job interview
• a tailored plan to help you get or stay in work
• one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional
• help with travel to and from work
• help to identify reasonable adjustments

See further down this page for more information about ‘reasonable adjustments.’

How do I apply?
For mental health support you can apply for support from the following organisations directly. You don’t need to tell your employer:

• Able futures
• Maximus

Their contact details can be found in the useful contact section of this factsheet.

For an access to work grant you can:

• Apply online. www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply, or
• Apply by phone.

The Access to work contact details can be found in the useful contact section at the end of this factsheet.

Work and Health Programme

The Work and Health Programme helps you find and keep a job if you’re out of work.

It’s voluntary, unless you’ve been out of work and claiming unemployment benefits for 24 months.

The Work and Health Programme replaced schemes called the Work Programme and Work Choice. You can no longer join these old schemes. But if you are already on them you can stay on them.

Am I eligible to apply?
You could be eligible if you live in England or Wales and you’re:

• disabled – as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Please see the sections below for more about this.
• out of work and have claimed unemployment benefits for 24 months
• a carer or former carer
• homeless
• a former member of the armed forces or an armed forces reservist
• the partner of a current or former member of the armed forces
• a care leaver
• a young person in a gang
• a refugee
• a victim of domestic violence
• dependent (or have been dependent) on drugs or alcohol and it’s preventing you from getting work
• an ex-offender and you’ve completed a custodial or community sentence
• an offender serving a community sentence

You don’t have to be getting benefits to apply.

What support can I get?
You’ll get personal support to help you:

• identify your employment needs
• match your skills to work that’s available
• put you in touch with employers
• find long-term employment
• get training to help you find work
• manage health problems to reduce their impact on work

How do I apply?
Ask your work coach if you’re eligible.

If you don’t have a work coach, you can go to your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach.

Intensive Personalised Employment Support

Intensive Personalised Employment Support is one-to-one support and training to help you into work if you have a disability or health condition.

To apply you must:

• have a disability or health condition that affects the work you can do
• be unemployed
• be between school leaving age and state pension age
• be a UK resident living in England or Wales

What support can I get?
You’ll get a dedicated support worker to help you:

• identify what work you’re able to do
• match your skills to work that’s available
• get training to help you find work
• build a personal support network
• manage work around your specific disability or health condition
• support you during your first 6 months of work

You’ll usually get Intensive Personalised Employment Support for 15 months. You can get an additional 6 months of on-the-job support if you find employment.

How do I apply?
Ask your work coach at the job centre plus to see if you’re eligible.

If you don’t have a work coach, go to your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach about Intensive Personalised Employment Support.

You can find your local Jobcentre Plus by searching here: www.find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/search.php

Individual Placement and Support

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a specialist employment service for people receiving support from a secondary mental health service.

IPS works on 8 principles:

• getting you into competitive employment
• open to all those who want to work
• finding jobs in line with your preferences
• it works quickly
• making employment part of your recovery
• Employment specialists develop relationships with employers based upon your work preferences
• providing ongoing, individualised support for you and your employer
• benefits counselling included.

Can I get this service?
NHS secondary mental health services generally support people with severe or complex mental health symptoms and conditions such as psychosis, bi-polar, addiction or personality disorder.

What support can I get?
You’ll get an employment specialist who can help you:

• identify setbacks and worries at work
• get correct information about benefits to avoid you being financially worse off, or anxious.
• make contact with employers and offer support when meeting them
• identify what work you want to do
• identify your skills
• write or update your CV
• find vacancies, help you apply or apply on your behalf
• help to prepare for interviews
• support you to stay in work once you have started

How do I apply?
There is not yet an IPS in every area of England.

You can look online for direct contact details, contact our service, or ask your care coordinator, consultant or key worker if there is an IPS where you live.

Employment support through NHS talking therapy services

You can access employment support through your local NHS talking therapy services (IAPT) in some areas.

The service brings therapists and employment advisors together to support you stay in work, return to work or find employment tailored to you.

Government funding will make employment support nationally available through NHS talking therapy services over the next few years.

Can I get this service?
NHS talking therapy services support people with mild to moderate mental health symptoms and conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression.

How do I apply?
You can self-refer to your local NHS talking therapies service. Or ask your GP for a referral.

See our webpage on Talking therapies for more information.

Disclosure

Should I tell an employer about my mental illness?

It is usually up to you to decide whether to tell an employer about your mental illness.

Before you are offered a job

The Equality Act says that an employer can’t ask you questions about your health before they offer you a job. This is to stop discrimination because of your health.

An employer can ask you questions if they need to find out:

• if you need any reasonable adjustments for the interview,
• if you will be able to do something that is part of the job,
• personal information to track who is applying for jobs with them - this helps with their equality and diversity policies,
• if you could be part of an employer’s scheme that favours disabled people, or
• if you have a disability that you need for the job. For example, an employer with a project for deaf people may want a deaf person to run it.

You don’t have to answer health questions before you are offered a job. Unless you have a specific type of job where you have to tell the employer.

You could try to find out why the employer is asking these questions. This may help you decide whether or not to answer them.

Once an employer offers you a job, they can ask you health-related questions.

You may be given a ‘conditional’ offer of a job. This means that getting the job depends on certain things. An employer might say your job offer is conditional on satisfactory references and health or disability checks.

An employer can then ask questions about your health. If at this stage your job offer is withdrawn, you may be able to make a claim of disability discrimination – see ‘Unfair treatment’ below.

Reasonable adjustments

It may be helpful to tell an employer about your mental illness so they can make ‘reasonable adjustments’. This might help you during the interview and recruitment process or if you get the job.

Your employment doesn’t have to make reasonable adjustments unless they know, or should know, about your illness.

Please see below for more information on reasonable adjustments.

Guaranteed interview

Some employers guarantee an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

The employer might be part of the Disability Confident scheme. These employers encourage applications from disabled people.

Telling your employer

If you tell your employer think about the strengths and skills you use to cope with and overcome your mental illness.

Your experience of mental illness may have given you useful skills, such as:

• problem solving,
• resilience,
• the ability to work with and relate to different sorts of people,
• determination,
• setting goals, and
• creativity.

If you choose to tell an employer during the application process, you can tell them:

• on the application form,
• on a covering letter, or
• at the interview stage.

Gaps in your CV

When you fill in an application form or write a CV you usually have to include an employment history.

You might have gaps in your employment history. These gaps might be periods where you couldn’t work because of your mental illness.

The following are things to think about when telling an employer.

• It is best to be honest. If you aren’t and the employer finds out later it could lead to problems for you. Honesty is a good quality that employers value.
• You don’t have to go into everything in detail.
• You might have been employed for a long time and held different positions. You can put your more recent positions only on your CV. This might cover up any gaps from years ago.
• You can sometimes tell the employer the years but not the months that you were employed. This might mean you don’t have to explain a gap.
• Employers will generally be used to job applicants having gaps in their employment. It is how you deal with it that could make the difference.
• Think about the positives from your break in employment. Instead of just saying you were too ill to work you could say things like:
  • “To get myself well enough to start working again I ………..”
  • “I used the following skills and strengths to overcome the challenges I faced ……….”
  • “I learn the following things…….”

If you are offered an interview you will probably be asked about gaps in your employment.

You can plan what you are going to say. It is your chance to impress the employer with:

• how you dealt with the situation,
• what skills you used, and
• what you learnt.

Jobs where you must tell the employer

In some jobs you must tell the employer about your health. This is because of regulations that apply to these professions. These jobs include:

• teacher
• nurses and doctors, and
• the armed forces.

If you don’t tell the employer, you could face disciplinary action later on.

Unfair treatment

Telling an employer that you have a mental illness could lead to unfair treatment when applying for a job.

You may be protected by discrimination law. But it may be hard to prove that the employer treated you badly because of your mental illness. Rather than a fair reason such as lack of experience.

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your mental illness you can get advice from The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). Their details are in the ‘Useful contacts’ section at the bottom of this page.

Reasonable adjustments

What are ‘reasonable adjustments’?

Under the Equality Act 2010 employers must take certain actions to help people with disabilities. This includes many people with a mental illness.

Under the Act employers have a duty to change their procedures and practices. They must do this to remove the barriers people face because of a disability.

Disabled people can ask employers to change their procedures and practices, as long as it is reasonable. The Act calls this the duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments.’

The Equality Act defines a disability as being:

• a physical or mental impairment,
• long term – has lasted at least 12 months or likely to last 12 months, and
• has a substantial adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. So, you might ask for a reasonable adjustment to make it easier for you to go to an interview. You can also ask them if you get the job.

Reasonable adjustments for employees with a mental health condition include:

• offering flexible working patterns, including changes to start and finish times and adaptable break times,
• changing your working environment, for example providing a quiet place to work,
• working with you to create an action plan to help you manage your condition, and
• allowing you leave to attend appointments connected to your mental health.

Have a look at the ‘WorkRights’ platform found in the useful contents section at the bottom of this page. This platform helps you to work out if you are eligible for reasonable adjustments at work.

You can find more information ‘Discrimination and mental health’ by clicking here.

Useful contacts

Advice – Benefits, employment & discrimination

Citizens Advice
Offers free, confidential impartial and independent advice. They have expertise in dealing with benefits and work issues. You can find your local office on their website:

Telephone: 0800 144 8848
Webchat: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

ACAS Helpline
You can call the Acas helpline if you have a workplace problem you want to get advice on. They can help talk through your options.

Phone: 0300 123 1100.
Website: www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2042

The Disability Law Service
Provides information on all matters surrounding disability which includes work and discrimination. They may help you challenge decisions which discriminate against you as a disabled person.

Telephone: 0207 791 9800
Address: Disability Law Service, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR
Email: advice@dls.org.uk
Website: www.dls.org.uk

WorkRights (platform is provided by the Disability Law Service charity)
A free automated legal advice platform. It will ask you a number of questions to see if you are eligible for reasonable adjustments. At the end you will be provided with a letter which you can send to your employer to get support at work. They provide free legal advice and representation to disabled people and their carers.

Telephone: 0207 791 9800
Address: The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR
Email: advice@dls.org.uk
Website: www.dls.org.uk/workrights

Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
An organisation that gives practical advice and information about the Equality Act 2010 and discrimination.

Telephone: 0808 800 0082
Address: FREEPOST EASS Helpline FPN6521
Email: via website
Website: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Bipolar UK – Employment Support Service
Support, advice and resources if you have bipolar and you are finding it hard either to get work, or to do your work when you're there. There are charges for some of their services. Includes a booklet “An employee’s guide to bipolar and employment”, which you can download for free.

Telephone: 0333 323 3880
Address: Bipolar UK, 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB
Email: employmentsupport@bipolaruk.org
Website: www.bipolaruk.org/support-for-employees

Government funded support

Access to Work
Government funding provided to pay for practical support if you have an illness.

Telephone: 0800 121 7479
Textphone: 0800 121 7579
Website: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview

Maxiumus - Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
They provide up to 9 months of support to people who are in paid employment or a paid apprenticeship, included those who are self employed. And have a mental health condition or issue.

Telephone: 0300 456 8114
Email: a2wmhss@remploy.co.uk
Website: www.atw.maximusuk.co.uk/

Able Futures – Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
They give you regular time to speal with a mental health specialist about issues that are affecting you at work or on an apprenticeship. They help you learn ways to look after yourself at work and help with reasonable adjustments at work.

Telephone: 0800 321 3137
Email: hello@able-futures.co.uk
Website: www.able-futures.co.uk/individuals

Shaw Trust
A national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently.

They run the Intensive Personalised Employment Support Work programme and the Work and Health Programme in some areas of the country.

Telephone: 0345 234 9675
Email: support@shaw-trust.org.uk
Website: www.shaw-trust.org.uk

Charities

Rethink Mental Illness
We have employment services in a few areas of the country.

Website: www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/services/employment-and-training/

Richmond Fellowship
Offers a wide range of housing, care, employment and community support services for people with mental health problems throughout the country.

Telephone: 020 7697 3300
Address: Richmond Fellowship 80 Holloway Road London N7 8JG
Website: www.richmondfellowship.org.uk

Careers advice

National Careers Service
Provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities.

Telephone: 0800 100 900
Email: via website
Website: www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Self-employment

Business Support Helpline
This government service provides free business advice and support online and through local advisers.

Telephone: 0300 456 3565 (Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm)
Email: enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org
Website: www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline

Business Debtline
A charity that provides free debt advice to small businesses over the telephone. They also have a website with useful factsheets and sample letters.

Telephone: 0800 197 6026 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5.30pm)
Email: via website
Website: www.businessdebtline.org/

Volunteering

Volunteering Matters
Includes a volunteering position search facility.

Telephone: 020 3780 5870
Website: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk

NCVO
An independent charity and membership organisation, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. They have an England wide network of volunteer centres. You can find a centre close to you on their website.

Telephone: 020 7713 6161
E-mail: ncvo@ncvo.org.uk
Address: Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL
Website: www.ncvo.org.uk

Do-it
A national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK.

Website: www.doit.life/

Apprenticeships

National Apprenticeship Service
Responsible for apprenticeships in England. There is comprehensive information about apprenticeships in England on their website.

Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Support for employers

Mindful Employer Scheme
A national initiative supporting employers to take a positive approach towards mental health at work.

Telephone: 0113 305 5800
Email: mindfulemployer@leedsmind.org.uk
Website: www.mindfulemployertensteps.co.uk

© Rethink Mental Illness 2023

Last updated May 2023 (Part review)
Next update October 2023

Version number 11.2

You can access a fully referenced version of this information by downloading the PDF factsheet by using the link at the top of this page.

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