Psychological therapy ‘can improve job and pay prospects for people out of work’

Psychological therapy for common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression can improve the job and pay prospects of people out of work, analysis has suggested.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that completing a course of NHS talking therapy is “associated with a sustained improvement in labour market outcomes” compared with a year before treatment starts.

The ONS looked at the impact of NHS talking therapies in England from April 2014 to December 2022.

It found that the probability of being a paid employee within seven years of starting treatment increased to a maximum of a 1.5 percentage points, while monthly employee pay increased by £17 per month two years after treatment.

Those people who were unemployed and seeking work at the time of referral benefitted the most from completing treatment, the ONS added.

This group saw the biggest increase in probability of being a paid employee in the years soon after their treatment and, by year seven, they saw a monthly pay increase of £63.

The data also found that people aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 had the biggest increases in the probability of being a paid employee after completion of NHS talking therapy.

Previous data has shown the top reasons for ill-health-related economic inactivity are mental illness and musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) such as back pain.

According to the Government, the number of workers aged 16 to 34 who say mental ill health limits the type or amount of work they can do has increased more than fourfold over the past decade, and mental health is now the leading work-limiting health condition among people aged 44 and younger.

MSK issues are more common among older working-age people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

Mind’s associate director of policy and influencing, Minesh Patel, said: “This ONS data suggests that supporting people with their mental health can have positive knock-on impacts for employment too.

“However, with over two million people on waiting lists for NHS mental health services, too many people aren’t currently getting the support they need.

“We know there are many people with mental health problems who would like to be able to work, but who simply don’t have the right support available.

“Without it, many are faced with being locked out of the chance of working or pushed to return to work before they are well enough, leading to worsening symptoms which impedes their recovery.

“It is essential that the Government properly funds the right kind of support, including early intervention, which helps reduce the impact on the NHS, as well as community mental health services for people who are more unwell and for whom NHS talking therapies isn’t always enough.”

Earlier this year, experts warned that an extra 700,000 people of working age will be living with major illnesses by 2040.

Analysis by the Health Foundation suggested 23% more working-age adults will be diagnosed with a major illness by 2040 – up from three million in 2019 to 3.7 million.

It is unclear how many will be working at that point, will remain at work, might cut their hours because of illness, or may need to leave the workforce.

The report said 80% of the projected increase in people diagnosed with major illnesses will be in the more deprived 50% of areas of England.

“Of the conditions that contribute most to health inequality, chronic pain, anxiety and depression and type 2 diabetes are projected to be the most prevalent in both the 10% most deprived and least deprived areas,” the report said.

Claire Murdoch, the NHS national mental health director, said: “Employment and mental health are closely linked, and it is fantastic to see our world-leading NHS talking therapy service which supports more than 1.2 million people a year is not only helping people get back into work, but improving their job and pay prospects too.

“As part of treating people’s mental illness, NHS England supports people to achieve their goals including getting back to work, with research showing that employment can help improve symptoms of anxiety or depression.

“Anyone can sign themselves up to NHS talking therapies online at nhs.uk or by contacting their GP, so if you are struggling with anxiety or depression please come forward for support.”

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