NHS therapy boost 'could get thousands back to work'

Struggling with mental health while looking for a job? New research suggests boosting NHS therapy access could slash unemployment rates for thousands.

It's a huge problem

A staggering 36% participation gap exists between those with long-term mental health problems and those without. This means they are much less likely to be in the labour force.

University of Manchester experts analysed data from over half a million working-age adults to uncover these crucial links.

The Solution? Talking Therapies

The study suggests that increasing the availability of talking therapies could reduce this labour force participation gap by nearly a whole percentage point (0.92-percentage-points). This is based on a 22% increase in appointments.

Lead author Joe Dodd, a PhD researcher, said: “Our findings suggest that improving access to psychological therapies doesn’t just support people’s wellbeing — it may also help close the long‑standing labour market gaps experienced by those with mental health problems.”

The link was particularly strong for men and those aged 45 to 65, as well as people not currently claiming benefits.

The NHS Talking Therapies programme, which launched 18 years ago, aims to provide evidence-based psychological treatments and tackle stigma.

However, currently only about one-fifth of working-age adults with a mental health diagnosis actually receive a course of these vital therapies.

Dodd added: “As governments look for ways to boost labour force participation, mental health policy should be part of that conversation.”

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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from University Newsroom. Document: [Read the official report from University Newsroom](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/therapy-access-could-tackle-joblessness/) Source Link: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/therapy-access-could-tackle-joblessness/