Mental health problems and disability pensions: trends and measures in a cross-national perspective

The article reports on a cross-border investigation into disability pension receipt due to mental health problems. The quantitative part comprised an analysis in how far disability benefit receipt due to mental health problems is similar with regard to size, trends, diagnostic patterns and risk groups across six countries (Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland). The second part included a cross-border inventory of measures aiming at prevention, rehabilitation and "return to work measures" (RTW), focusing on sickness absence and disability due to mental health problems. Despite the generally rising trend in all countries (as to disability pension receipt due to mental health problems), there are considerable differences in the scope of the phenomenon. But in most countries the need is felt to act. The inventory of (new) policies that aim to affect this trend showed three categories of policies: early identification of vulnerable groups, work resumption measures and specific tools for social insurance administrators. For each category some examples of instruments developed or under consideration are given. It is concluded that good practices for dealing with work incapacity due to mental health problems are in the stage of development, whereas in some countries new work resumption approaches have been implemented, some giving greater responsibility to the employer and employee instead of medical authorities.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]