tionship, cross sectional and longitudinal studies have consistently found poorer psychological health in unemployed compared with employed individuals.
The situational analysis noted that the U.S. government is taking action to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities. U.S. President Clinton recently created a task force to coordinate a national policy for increasing employment opportunities and issued an executive order, in June 1999, to expand hiring opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities.
In addition to task forces and executive orders, there is a group of laws which reflect national policy and provide the legislative framework for effectively managing the impact of depressive disorders ( and other mental health problems) on the workplace. These laws do not focus specifically on depression but operate within the larger framework of all disabilities.
The situation analysis highlights: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); health insurance parity laws in mental health services and state workers' compensation laws. The Americans with Disabilities Act represents a watershed in the history of the disability rights movement in the U.S. It is one of the most significant employment laws in U.S. history. The ADA outlaws discrimination against people with disabilities in nearly every domain of public life, including employment, transportation, communication, and recreational activities.
Although, major laws and regulations applicable to businesses and employers can create problems in compliance, the literature indicates that, generally, employers and society benefit from these laws and regulations.
The role of government and the social partners examines the implementation of law and policy by government agencies; the role of workers', employers', and non-governmental organisations and selected noted academic institutions in the area of employment and psychiatric disabilities. Success and implementation of the laws that reflect national policy and provide the legislative framework for effectively managing the impact of depressive disorders on the workplace depend on numerous individuals and organisations. It was not the purpose of this situational analysis to provide a comprehensive description and assessment of every agency, organisation, or institution involved in these activities. Selected key agencies, groups, and institutions were highlighted with illustrations of how important it is for all social partners to work together for greater effectiveness.
The U.S. federal government plays a critical role in interpreting, translating, and implementing the ADA. There are a number of primary government agencies and offices actively involved in enforcement, technical assistance, research, and dissemination of information for all mental health disorders and/or psychiatric disabilities. Through their various activities, these agencies and offices offer support on mental health issues in the workplace to both employers and employees. Some of their activities specific to depression and employment are subsumed under the larger framework of psychiatric disabilities and local community support. The agencies profiled were: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; the Center for Mental Health Services; the National Institute of Mental Health, President's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities; and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Numerous examples were provided of how each agency operates with respect to mental
