Health sector news

Talking therapies for unemployed

20/3/2009
A package of measures to help unemployed people who are experiencing depression or anxiety to get back to work have been announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, including greater provision of talking therapies through the NHS and a new network of employment support workers.

Around six million adults in the UK have depression or anxiety and many of these remain on incapacity benefits as they are unable to seek work. In past recessions, the number of out-of-work people on inactive benefits has risen. The Government says this is one element of action being taken to prevent this happening again.

The new measures include the development of complementary services to increase the availability of debt advice and family counselling, highlighting the vitally important role that public services play in supporting people through the economic downturn.