PEOPLE in Somerset being cared for by community mental health teams are getting additional support to get back into paid work.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s employment support service is helping people with mental health conditions to find and retain paid employment.

Jo Moore, Somerset Foundation Trust’s clinical lead for the service, said that employment should be seen as part of the process of getting better, rather than as a result of getting better.

“There are so many benefits for people with severe mental health conditions finding paid employment,” she said.

“These include improved confidence and self-esteem, having a valued role, meeting people, improved physical health, improved motivation and energy, a sense of achievement and financial stability.

“And the impact on their mental health and local health and social care community is also really positive as research shows that when people are employed, they will be less likely to need to access GP or hospital treatment regarding their mental health."

One person who this program has helped is Michael, a 37-year-old man; through the program he has completed a vocational assessment to help him identify his hopes and concerns about returning to work after a two year absence.

After that he was linked with ten employers on Michael’s behalf and helped him to secure work at an IT recycling firm.

Michael said: “My IPS job coach has helped me go from being unemployed to landing a really great job.

“The advice and support I had from the team was very helpful. They helped me with updating my CV and even took me to the interview.

“I’m really enjoying the work and I’ve found that it has helped my confidence and given me a sense of purpose.”

The chief operating officer at the firm that now employs Michael said: “We very much value the proactive relationship that we have with the employment support service at Somerset FT.

“It’s so great to be able to support people with mental health difficulties into work, this has been possible through the professionalism and carefully considered approach that has ensured the needs and objectives of everyone involved have been met.”