Mental health conditions 'cause exclusion at work'

7th July 2009

Individuals suffering from mental health problems are experiencing difficulties in the workplace because of their condition, one expert has suggested.

North-west regional manager for the charity Rethink Grainne Cuerden said it is one of the country's remaining taboo issues.

She remarked: "The stigma and discrimination [individuals with mental health conditions] face deny people relationships, work, education, hope and the chance to live an ordinary life that others take for granted."

One-quarter of the population undergo some form of mental health setback in their life, yet this does not prevent people suffering prejudice, Ms Cuerden added.

Her comments come after the announcement of this year's Northwest Disability Awareness Day, which she described as important for approaching the issue of mental health disorders.

Earlier this year, the organisation, which is currently working on the national Time to Change anti-stigma campaign, welcomed plans to address problems in the disclosure of jobseekers' medical histories.