Economic woes trigger rise in mental health sickness claims

[ukhudshanskiy]

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics show the number claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for mental and behavioural disorders rose 29 per cent between May 2010 and May 2011, from 205,700 to 265,530.

Mental health campaigners believe the rise could be due to rising numbers of people either losing their jobs, or being put under greater pressure due to tighter financial circumstances.

Among people of working age, the largest increases in those claiming ESA for mental and behavioural disorders, were in those aged 45 to 54.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, said: "The economic climate of the last few years, complete with increasing levels of redundancies and unemployment, has seen many people struggle with their mental health and it's a well known fact that problems at work and being made redundant can directly cause depression.