Written evidence from Manon Lewis (DEG0192)

I attained 11A* and 2As at GCSE and 3As at A Level and hoped to pursue a university led career. I started two university courses (Dentistry followed by Pharmacy) but had to withdraw from both courses due to a deterioration in my mental health (I suffer from both Anorexia and OCD). The following 10 years saw a further deterioration in my mental health with lengthy periods of hospitalisation and no hope of employment. I managed to add to my educational qualifications through my part time attendance at a local further education college whilst being supported by my parents. My attempts to gain employment were unsuccessful. This resulted in a worsening of my self esteem, a lack of confidence, anxiety and a further deterioration in my mental health.

Following my longest period as an inpatient at a specialist eating disorders unit (15 months), I was discharged. As a day patient, I found the lack of structure unbearable and was concerned that a further deterioration in my mental health would follow. I sought assistance from my hospital team and was advised to seek IPS (Individual Placement and Support) from the Richmond Fellowship. I began working with Mariana Law and this became a significant turning point. Within days she came to the hospital to see me. Her enthusiasm, passion and dedication gave me hope. She immediately set about job searches in the local area, helped me write a relevant and up to date CV and prepared me for any potential interviews. My confidence blossomed and I secured part time employment. There followed unlimited and intensive individual support that continues to this day. Words can not express my gratitude for her unwavering support and commitment in her role as my personal mentor. She has always been there for me when I needed her and without this I dread to think where I would be.

Securing employment was totally transformative. It has been a life changing experience for me and has given me a purpose in my life. It has given me self esteem, a sense of belonging and a feeling that I am contributing positively to society. It has shown me that I am not a complete failure. It has given me independence with no further admissions to hospital, relying only on outpatient support. I have been employed in my present position for three and a half years and have subsequently been able to seek limited career development opportunities and can, for the first time in years, see the possibility of a life without having to rely on benefits.

The main barrier to people suffering from mental health conditions seeking employment is the massive lack of understanding amongst potential employers of the complexities of mental health issues. Long periods of hospitalisation can lead to an element of institutionalisation resulting in lack of work experience and gaps in employment. The return to the normal world and the prospect of seeking employment is very daunting resulting in high anxiety levels which can further impact on securing meaningful employment. There is no doubt that there still exists an ill conceived stigma associated with mental health. I’m finding it incredibly hard in my present role to convince my employer of my commitment and desire to pursue a professional career. A year ago I qualified as a pharmacy dispenser, achieving this qualification with very limited support from my employer, studying mainly in my free time so that it wouldn’t impact on my working hours. I now wish to embark on a Pharmacy Technician course as I have all the necessary qualifications. The course requires the employee to work a minimum of 14 hours per week. In spite of fulfilling this requirement I have been denied the opportunity to pursue this course. I have made repeated requests which have been denied. It has been suggested that it might be possible if I were to increase my working hours with no recognition of the negative impact this is likely to have on my mental health. This exasperating situation further highlights the obstacles mental health sufferers encounter in the world of work.

One of the main barriers to people suffering from mental health conditions seeking and gaining employment and subsequent career development is the ‘benefits trap’. There needs to be more flexibility in the benefits system to allow for a gradual increase in hours without there being an immediate threat of a reduction in benefits due to exceeding a financial/working hours weekly limit. This gradual increase in hours would enable the employee to establish what they can cope with without there being a deterioration in their mental health. There needs to be an understanding that the situation may change and therefore needs to be monitored. Capacity for work may vary form one week to another, a flexible approach is necessary to accommodate an individual’s personal needs. I’d be very frightened of committing myself to an increase in my working hours because I felt well enough one week knowing that a subsequent relapse would leave me in a dire financial situation with the daunting process of applying for support all over again and a prolonged assessment process. It is a huge risk for someone in my precarious situation to take.

May 2021