Health Minister wants to slash numbers of those going on disability pension for depression
"Treatment needs to be improved"
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Minister of Social Affairs and Health Liisa Hyssälä (Centre) wants to cut sharply the number of people going on disability pension because of depression.
"The question involves human rights: the right to work and to get good treatment. Second, this saves public money for other purposes", she says.
Each year about 4,000 Finns go on disability pension because of depression. The minister wants to cut the number in half through an extensive plan of action in her ministry, to be coordinated by "a high-level group" convened by Hyssälä herself.
Agreeing to join the group led by Hyssälä are labour market leaders Lauri Ihalainen of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), Leif Fagernäs of the Confederation of Finnish Industry (EK), Matti Viljanen of the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (AKAVA), and Mikko Mäenpää of the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK). Also taking part will be Esa Swanljung, CEO of the Finnish Pension Alliance TELA.
"The group will give a face to this difficult issue, and hopefully will change attitudes. I am also putting myself on the line here: depression simply must be spoken of in capital letters", Hyssälä says.
Pension expenditures for people on disability pension for depression have roughly tripled in ten years, and depression as a reason for disability pension has gradually become more common.
Hyssälä feels that changes are needed in the treatment of depression: the disease needs to be dealt with at an earlier stage and more efficiently. She also feels that part-time sick leaves should be used more than is now the case.
She pointed out that those who suffer from depression are often granted long sick leaves, isolating them at home, with no support. "In such a situation, depression can become chronic. Employers must understand that a person cannot always give 100 per cent", Hyssälä said.
Attitudes also need improving, notes Liisa Hyssälä.
"There is no need to be ashamed of depression. It is one disease among many. People give up on treatment too easily, even though depression is curable, if treated", she says in her office in Kruunuhaka in the centre of Helsinki.
Hyssälä urges occupational health officials, supervisors, and workplace health care providers to pay more attention to the problem. She notes that the establishment of a positive working atmosphere, the evaluation of the appropriateness of tasks at work, and fighting workplace bullying are all methods that an employer can implement to reduce the risk of depression.
Typically, those going on disability pension for depression are women over the age of 50.
"Older women feel that they are not helped in the workplace. For instance, they do not get enough support for learning information technology skills."
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 28.8.2007 - TODAY |
 Health Minister wants to slash numbers of those going on disability pension for depression |
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