Labelling ‘normal ups and downs’ as medical conditions holds people back and drives up benefits bill, says Work and Pensions Secretary

However, warning that comments risk increasing stigma around mental health, Mind Chief Executive says that politicians need to 'consider the impact of their words'

Labelling the 'normal ups and downs' of life as medical conditions risks holding people back and driving up the benefits bill, the Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has said

The Telegraph reports that, speaking about the government's proposed reforms to the work capability assessment, Mr Stride said that -

'While I’m grateful for today’s much more open approach to mental health, there is a danger that this has gone too far.

There is a real risk now that we are labelling the normal ups and downs of human life as medical conditions which then actually serve to hold people back and, ultimately, drive up the benefit bill.'

Mr Stride added that some people are now convincing themselves they have a serious mental health condition as opposed to 'the normal anxieties of life', and that -

'If they go to the doctor and say ‘I’m feeling rather down and bluesy’, the doctor will give them on average about seven minutes and then, on 94 per cent of occasions, they will be signed off as not fit to carry out any work whatsoever.'

Mr Stride went on to say that, although mental health is a sensitive topic -

'It is too important for people and their futures, too important for the way that welfare works and too important for the economy to just ignore.'

However, in response, Mind Chief Executive Sarah Hughes said -

'The comments made by the Work and Pensions Secretary are concerning and risk increasing the stigma around mental health. Politicians and commentators need to consider the impact of their words on people who face exceptionally difficult circumstances ...

People need to be offered tailored support from experts if they are to return to work, not threats of losing what little money they currently have to live on. That support just isn’t there - with over two million people on waiting lists for NHS mental health services it is clear that the focus should be on improving the system.'

For more information, see Mind reacts to UK government comments on mental health.