This new OECD report challenges some of the myths around mental health and concludes that policymakers need to look for new solutions.
Did you know...
- Mental illness is a growing problem in society and is increasingly affecting productivity and well-being in the workplace
- One in five workers suffer from a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, and many are struggling to cope
- Three in four workers with a mental disorder report reduced productivity at work, compared to one in four workers without a mental disorder
- Work absences are also much more frequent for workers with mental illness, and about 30% to 50% of all new disability benefit claims in OECD countries are now attributed to mental ill health.
- Most people with a mental disorder work, with employment rates of between 55% to 70%, about 10 to 15 percentage points lower than for people without a disorder.
- But people with a mental disorder are two to three times as likely to be unemployed as people with no disorders.
- The share of workers exposed to work-related stress, or job strain, has increased in the past decade all across the OECD.
- Young people in many countries increasingly enter the disability benefit system without having spent much time in the workforce. This means that the population claiming disability benefits is getting younger in most countries.
- Most common mental disorders can get better, and the employment chances be improved, with adequate treatment. But health systems in most countries are narrowly focused on treating people with severe disorders, such as schizophrenia, who make up only one-fourth of sufferers. Taking more common disorders more seriously would boost the chances for people to stay in, or return to, work. Today, almost 50% of those with a severe mental disorder and over 70% of those with a moderate mental disorder do not receive any treatment for their illness.
» More information about Sick on the Job at www.oecd.org/els/disability , including:
- Press Release (English / French)
- Fact Sheet (a 4-pager in English / French)
- Chapter 6 'Summary and Conclusions' (free PDF)
- OECD/DELSA Director John Martin's presentation highlighting main findings
- Key figures & data
En français: Mal-être au travail ? Mythes et réalités sur la santé mentale et l'emploi - via www.oecd.org/els/invalidite
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