Employment & Mental Health Disorders

According to the Job Accommodation Network, about 58 million Americans suffer from a mental health disorder in any given year. Some people manage to work despite their conditions and need no special help, but others are disabled by mental health disorders and need extra help at work or are unable to work at all.

Americans With Disabilities Act

• The Americans With Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against employees with disabilities, including mental health disorders. It also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Reasonable Accommodations

• There is no list of accommodations that are considered "reasonable." It is decided on a case-by-case basis. Examples of possible accommodations for employees with mental health disorders include a quiet workspace that is free from distractions, allowing the employee to telephone support people like doctors or therapists from work when needed and allowing the employee time off to attend counseling sessions.

Family and Medical Leave Act

• The Family and Medical Leave Act requires covered employers to allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave due to a serious medical condition such as a mental health disorder. Certain conditions apply.

Vocational Rehabilitation

• All 50 states have vocational rehabilitation agencies that provide job training to people with disabilities, including those with mental health disorders. Services are provided free of charge.

Social Security Disability Insurance

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly income for people who are unable to work for at least one year due to a disability, including mental health disorders. To qualify, a person must have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain length of time in the past.