A department of work and pensions review in September 2006 found that being in work is good for mental health and that those who had mental health problems and were unemployed had higher suicide rates. It is a sad reality today that many people with mental health problems still struggle to get a job despite the fact that in general they are more likely to want one. They represent the largest group of unemployed people and even if they do manage to find a job, they will often have difficulty in keeping it. Why is this?

People with mental health problems are more likely to worry if they have to take time off work for any reason or if they find it hard to cope with some of the tasks involved in carrying out their work on a daily basis. Their plight can me made even worse by employer's who don't understand mental health issues or by work colleagues who may feel resentful if they perceive someone as being treated more favourably because they receive extra help and support as a result of mental health problems. All this is still happening daily despite government initiatives and massive campaigns to educate the people about mental health.

The fact remains, any single one of us can be affected by a mental health problem at any time. Mental health problems don't discriminate. Regardless of your background, gender or social status, there is a good chance that either you or someone close to you will be affected by mental health issues at some point. Indeed, it is estimated that at any one time a fifth of the population is suffering from some kind of mental illness.

Should you tell your employers?

If you are trying to find work and you have a mental health problem you might understandably be reluctant to tell your potential employer about it in case it jeopardises your chances of getting the job.

Similarly if you are already in work, it may be that you would prefer not to talk about your mental health problems with your employer and will try to just get on with the job and struggle through alone.

Although there are still problems with discrimination in the work place and stigma surrounding mental health issues, people with mental health problems have rights like everyone else and employers have a duty of responsibility to make sure that people with mental health problems are not discriminated against and are given what they need to keep and sustain their job.

Deciding whether or not to be open with your employer about your mental health is very much an individual choice and will ultimately depend on several factors including your relationship with your employer, how understanding they are likely to be and whether or not they will perceive your mental health as something that will influence your ability to carry out your job.

There may be occasions when you have to take time off work. If this is likely to happen on a regular basis or for any length of time then it is probably better to keep your employer fully informed about your situation. If you have been off work for a while then you could possibly find it difficult to return to work even though you feel you are ready to do so. If this situation arises then it might be worth considering asking your employer if you can cut back on the number of hours you work temporarily or if you can have flexible working hours so that the prospect of going back to work full time isn't so daunting.

So what are your rights?

If your employer doesn't ask you specifically about mental health problems when you apply for a job then you don't have to tell them, however, if you are asked and you choose not to disclose the information then you can be dismissed for it later on should your employer ever find out.

However, your employer is also obliged to abide by the law, which means that you have the same rights as anyone else who has a disability. It is unlawful for any employer to discriminate against someone either in work or applying for work purely because they have a mental health problem. Employers have a duty of responsibility to make reasonable adjustments according to your needs. Obviously this is widely open to interpretation so if in any doubt, seek professional advice.

It's only natural that an employer is concerned about your ability to carry out your work effectively as their business depends on it so being open with your employer or a potential employer about what you are capable of and what you can realistically do from the very beginning may prevent any misunderstandings or disputes later on and can contribute to a positive working experience for everyone.