The introduction of the Work Capability Assessment in England may have taken a “serious” toll on the nation’s mental health, concludes research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
The research concludes that:
“The programme of reassessing people on disability benefits using the Work Capability Assessment was independently associated with an increase in suicides, self-reported mental health problems and antidepressant prescribing. This policy may have had serious adverse consequences for mental health in England, which could outweigh any benefits that arise from moving people off disability benefits.”