£1m fund to promote employment for mental health sufferers

Bids are being sought from organisations for a share of £1 million of government funding to help people with mental health conditions become self-employed, start a small business or social enterprise.

Research shows that at any one time, around one-in-six people of working age suffer from poor mental health with between two and four per cent having a severe mental illness. A significant number will have had professional careers interrupted or aborted by the onset of their condition.

Data suggests that up to 50% of individuals with mental health conditions, even those with severe problems, can be helped to obtain paid employment.

Health and enterprise organisations in England have until 10 September to become one of the eight to 10 organisations to benefit from this latest tranche of Phoenix Fund money, designed to help encourage entrepreneurship as a means of tackling social exclusion.

Trade Minister Nigel Griffiths said: "A high number of people with mental health conditions aspire to work, but often feel that employers have little awareness and understanding of their situation. For some, an alternative to trying to compete directly in the job market is to become self-employed.

"This programme aims to stimulate new and innovate approaches to encourage and help sustain entrepreneurial behaviour among those affected by mental health issues."

Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive at The Mental Health Foundation, said: "People with mental health problems need support to get the jobs they want. We very much welcome this new DTI initiative to help more people get back into work and would encourage those working in the field of mental health to look at putting together bids for this Phoenix funding."

The Phoenix Fund was established by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1999 to help promote enterprise in disadvantaged areas and groups under-represented in terms of business ownership. Some £145 million of government money will be paid out through the fund by 2006.

(gmcg)