Impact of mental health disorders and mental health services on labour force outcomes

Abstract

I analyze the impact of diagnosed mental health disorders and mental health services on peoples’ potential to work by using the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012: Mental Health Component. I use mood and anxiety disorders as the poor mental health indicator. The different types of maltreatment the individual experienced as a child is used as the instrument for mental health disorders. I uncover evidence that, diagnosed mental health disorders have a negative impact on peoples’ potential to work. I also find evidence of a reduction in potential to work if participants with diagnosed mental health disorders believed they were not receiving the help or treatment they need.