Employment Advice Service will support patients to find work

A new Employment Advice Service launched across Essex is supporting people experiencing mental health challenges to find work.

The service helps people secure suitable employment, training or education, support anyone returning to the workplace after time away, and improve their CV writing and interview skills.

The Employment Advice Service forms part of Therapy for You, the NHS Talking Therapies service run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), and launches in partnership with mental health charity, Mental Health Matters.

The service will build on the counselling and psychological therapy patients receive through Therapy for You, with a dedicated team of employment advisors offering support with any issues they may be facing in the workplace.

Laura Carter, a Senior Employment Advisor from the service added: “We know that good employment and support in the workplace can have a number of benefits for our mental health.

“Our goal is to help people to feel confident and empowered, whether they are returning to work and speaking to their employer about their challenges or developing the skills needed to find new opportunities.”

The Employment Advice Service is available to people aged 18 and over living in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford, and is supported by the Department for Work and Pensions and Departments of Health and Social Care.

Residents can seek support from the Employment Advice Service via self-referral to Therapy for You (NHS Talking Therapies). To self-refer, please call 01268 739128 or visit www.therapyforyou.co.uk

Therapy for You (NHS Talking Therapies) provides free counselling and psychological therapy to help people experiencing depression and anxiety disorders better manage their mental health.