| Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the Scottish Government was committed to finding ways to get many of those people back into employment.
The conference, at Dudhope Castle, was organised by Littlewing, Dundee Voluntary Action’s mental health forum.
Delegates heard about an award-winning employment and support programme at the St George’s NHS trust in London and Ms Robison praised similar work being done in Scotland.
She said, “NHS boards work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and others to provide pre-employment training and work placements to individuals who are currently furthest removed from the labour market, which can often include those with mental ill health.”
The minister said the Scottish Government’s social inclusion agenda included the need to improve the employability of people with mental health problems.
“We continue, through national media campaigns and local activity, to tackle the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental ill health.”
Dr Rachel Perkins, of St George’s, said, “Supported employment can be incorporated into routine clinical practice. It has enabled hundreds of people to get into work.” |
