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Getting support if you have a mental health condition

You may be able to get support from Access to Work if you have a mental health condition and you're either:

• going into work
• absent from work as a result of your mental health condition
• finding work difficult as a result of your mental health condition

To get this support through Access to Work, you must be in paid employment, or have a confirmed start date, and:

• have a mental health condition which affects your ability to work
• be aged 16 or over
• live and work in England, Scotland or Wales

You must also either:

• need support when starting new employment
• need support to reduce absence from work
• need support to stay in work

What support you'll get

The type of support given by Access to Work includes:

An assessment of your needs to help you cope, this may include:

• asking you to keep a mood diary to identify triggers and changes in mood to increase awareness so you can manage this at work
• teaching you relaxation techniques you can use when under pressure
• producing an action plan to help your line manager to identify signs that you're becoming unwell
• techniques to improve concentration and focus, for example, using a quiet room for complex tasks
• techniques to help you change negative thoughts and plan positive actions

Developing a personalised support plan, detailing the steps needed to enter, remain in, or return to work. This can include making suggestions for reasonable adjustments at work, for example:

• flexible working patterns to accommodate changes in mood and impact of medication
• providing a mentor to give you additional support at work
• temporary reduction in work targets or reallocating tasks
• giving you additional time to complete certain tasks
• providing you with additional training
• regular 1-2-1 meetings with your manager to talk about your concerns
• a phased return to work e.g. reduced hours or less days

Access to Work also gives advice and guidance to help employers understand mental ill health and how they can support employees.

How to apply

Contact the Access to Work contact centre and speak to an adviser.

• Access to Work contact centres