It is estimated that only 8% of people with psychosis are in employment in the UK, and people with severe mental illness (including psychosis and schizophrenia) are six to eight times more likely to be unemployed than the general population (NICE, 2015). The low levels of employment for people with long-term mental health conditions are a major public issue in Scotland. They affect not only the national economy and public expenditure, but most importantly, individual welfare. Many efforts to raise employment rates for this group have been made, through employment service reform as well as health interventions. Access to health care and level of education may be important factors, which influence long-term health in various ways Employment in meaningful work can provide a purpose and structure in life that positivity affects self-esteem, wider community participation, and social inclusion. Equally, unemployment or unstable employment could limit opportunities and have a negative effect on physical health, social inclusion, health choices, and worsening mental health outcomes (Bouwmans et al, 2015). Reflecting on preliminary review findings and initial data analysis of longitudinal data sets on individual health and employment histories, as well as drawing from personal experience, this talk will explore ways in which personal, local and national deprivation may affect health choice and access, as well as the subsequent effect on employment opportunities, such as loss and return in individuals living with psychosis in Scotland.
