BPS responds to comments from Prime Minister regarding ‘sick note culture’
The BPS is deeply concerned about comments made by Rishi Sunak, which risk minimising the mental health challenges people face and the impact they have on their ability to work.
19 April 2024
In a speech today announcing an overhaul of the benefits system, the Prime Minister warned against 'over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life' by diagnosing them as mental health conditions.
Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of The British Psychological Society, said:
"It is concerning that the Prime Minister is taking the approach of attempting to minimise the mental health challenges that people are facing in the UK today.
"The idea that people are merely overreacting to everyday challenges is an outdated view on what mental health is, and it does nothing to encourage people to talk about it, elicit empathy from others or seek expert support.
"With clear evidence that approaches such a benefit sanctions and using fear to get people back to work do not work, it is extremely frustrating to once again see the government going down this route to try and reduce the numbers of people with mental health challenges that prevent them from working.
"What we need to see is the government prepared to invest the proper funds into mental health services and the workforce so that people can access the timely support they need, and where appropriate the necessary expert help to support them back into work."