Zarah ChoudharyAccording to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), completion of NHS Talking Therapies (NHSTT) treatment is linked to significant improvements in labour market outcomes.
Individuals completing evidence-based therapy for common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression experienced increased likelihood of paid employment and higher earnings, with notable benefits for those who were unemployed at the time of referral.
Four years after completing treatment for those who were unemployed when referred, the probability of being a paid employee increased by up to 3.1% points.
For all individuals who completed NHSTT, the likelihood of being in paid employment rose to a maximum of 1.5% points within seven years of starting treatment, while monthly employee pay increased by up to £17 two years post-treatment.
Age also played a role in the outcomes, with those aged between 25 and 34 years and between 35 and 44 years showing the most substantial increases in employment probability.
For the younger group, the likelihood of being in paid work rose by 2.3% points seven years after treatment, while the older group saw a 2.0% point rise within five years.
Ethnicity was another factor influencing outcomes, with statistically significant positive changes in employment and pay observed only among individuals identifying as Asian or White.
A sustained improvement in mental health was linked to a 1.0% point increase in the likelihood of being employed, underscoring the broader economic and social value of accessible mental health services.
