In addition to the direct costs of absenteeism, it is likely that the productivity of a person suffering from mental health problems has been lower than normal for a long period prior to the sick leave. Employers can be said to be facing a problem of 'presenteeism". In other words, people turn up for work but are so distressed that they contribute little,¹⁰ increasing the costs outlined above.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Several Finnish and foreign studies point to the link between unemployment and mental ill health.¹¹ Statistically speaking, somatic diseases, mental health problems, and suicide are more common among the unemployed than in the active labour force.¹² However, unemployment can be both the cause and the effect of ill health.¹³

At the beginning of the 1990s, after a long period of low unemployment, the unemployment rate in Finland increased rapidly and has remained relatively high. Unemployment among people with disabilities has increased steadily since the 1980s, and currently 7% to 8 % of all jobseekers are classified as persons with disabilities. A considerable number are chronically ill, and mental illnesses represent the third most prevalent group of illnesses (12 %).¹⁴

 

Re-employment often helps improve the mental well-being of unemployed people with disabilities as well as prevent possible deprivation caused by unemployment. A lowered level of mental wellbeing does not render a person unemployable: "it is not ill health but lack of jobs that prevents re-employment"¹⁵. Unemployment is a serious challenge to the functioning and wellbeing of society. Groups at high risk among the unemployed, including people with serious financial problems or difficult family situations, should be identified and services addressing their problems improved.

A preventative intervention programme for jobseekers

One of the examples of how to tackle unemployment and wellbeing is a Finnish application of a JOBS programme, which originally was developed at the University of Michigan. The Social Insurance Institution and Finnish Institute of Occupational Health collaborated on developing and piloting the Finnish application of the programme. The JOBS programme aims to provide the job seeker with the confidence and skills to achieve re-employment and to prevent depression caused by unemployment through social support and active learning.

The Finnish application of the JOBS programme has proven to be an effective preventive intervention model. It had a significant effect on the mental well being of the participants, in particular of those diagnosed at risk for depression and long-term unemployment. The programme provided the participants with a positive learning experience that improved their self-confidence and strengthened their capacity to face obstacles to employment. Their psychiatric symptoms decreased. Though further research is needed, results of this study encourage the development of primary prevention programmes such as JOBS to enhance mastery of stressful situations and improve self-efficacy.

Silvonen, J & Vuori, J. The effect of the preventative 'Työhön' - job seeking programme on the psychological distress of the unemployed