Research Plus

Mental health absence

The probability of a return to work (RTW) declines at different rates for different conditions, according to this two-year study of 51,754 employees off sick with a mental health condition. RTW times were longer for women than men, especially for those with emotional disturbance (ICD-10 classification R45), mood disorders (F30–39) and neurotic, somatoform and stress-related disorders (F40–49). RTW rates were highest for those with emotional disturbance (95% returned within one year) and lowest for those with schizophrenia (F20–29 – 59% RTW within 12 months) and adult personality disorders (F60–69 – 53% RTW within 12 months). Probability of RTW was high within the first month for those with R45, decreasing sharply thereafter; high within the first two months for those with F40–49 and within three months for those with F30–39, decreasing less sharply thereafter.

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2012 (vol. 09/1) pp40