Rethink: Benefits statistics provoke stereotypes and fear, says charity
Following the release of statistics by the Department for Work and Pensions about people who receive incapacity benefit, the charity Rethink Mental Illness says the move will cause unnecessary fear amongst legitimate claimants
Mark Davies, Director of communications at Rethink Mental Illness said: “There is a very real danger that the release of these statistics present an over-simplification of the issue and cause unnecessary fear among those supported by society for good reason.
“Without detailed explanation of the figures, they both stereotype claimants in a simplistic way and cause fear and anxiety amongst many people for whom full-time paid work is simply not an option. People with mental illnesses who rely on support as a lifeline towards recovery are being made to feel as if they’re somehow cheating the system.
“Work can be a key step on the road to recovery for people with mental illness, but is not always possible. The government should focus on fixing the test they’re using to reassess people in incapacity benefit, which is being rolled out despite the fact the government admits is not fit for purpose and does not properly recognise mental illness.”
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For more information, please call Rachel Whitehead, senior media relations officer at Rethink on 020 7840 3138
Notes to editors
Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. We help over 52,000 people each year through our services and support groups and by providing information on mental health problems.
Our website www.rethink.org receives over 500,000 visitors every year.
Rachel Whitehead
Senior Media Relations Officer
020 7840 3138
Working together to help everyone affected by
severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.
89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP
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