“Working Beats Depression, Injury and Illness”

Mon Aug 29 2011

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A report from the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM)

* show that working is good for your health and not working for long periods can lead to higher

incidences of injury, illness and disability.

The research shows that active participation in the workforce can dramatically improve the lives of

those suffering from a mental illness or disability. It displays statistics that show that working improves

general health and wellbeing, reduces psychological distress and assists in recovery.

It also validates the work of leading Disability Employment Services Group, Artius Employment in their

offices in Ipswich and the Gold Coast, where they help more than 500 people with a disability per year to

search, find and maintain jobs.

"We find the benefits to people finding suitable and supportive work are significant and extend far beyond

financial rewards. Working also provides improvements in health, relationships, self esteem and confidence”

Managing Director Paul Stokes commented today. "We are thrilled that the research confirms what we knew all

along, that work is good for you, and not working can be bad for your health.”

The report refers to the work of Professor Sir Mansel Aylward who has summarised the evidence regarding being

out of the workforce for long periods. Professor Aylward notes that long term worklessness:

provides the same health risk as smoking 10 packs of cigarettes per day;

About Artius

Artius Employment provides a range of services to help those suffering with an illness, injury, disability or health

condition that is preventing them from finding work, maintaining their job or returning to the workforce. With 8 offices

throughout Queensland, the group is licensed to provide Disability Employment Services by the Australian Government.

^{_{Media note: Research undertaken by The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine}}

^{_{(AFOEM), under the auspices of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and recently released}}

^{_{the revised consensus statement, “Realising the Health Benefits of Work”.}}