The mental health of the population is a growing public health concern across the world. Poor mental health involves a human cost, to individuals and their families, a societal cost, which impacts upon public services (health and social care, housing, education, criminal justice, and social security services) as well as the wider economy. Poor mental health has consistently found to be associated with economic disadvantage, deprivation, unemployment, poor education, poor physical health, social class and heightened health risk behaviour .
Thus, as the Mental Health Foundation point out: “People with mental health problems are more likely to experience physical health problems, smoke, be overweight, use drugs and drink alcohol to excess, have a disrupted education, be unemployed, take time off work, fall into poverty, and be over-represented in the criminal justice system” .

How can people with mental health problems best be supported to remain in paid employment.Discuss