Benefits and welfare reform
The Daily Stigma
Thousands of people with mental health problems are being wrongly assessed as ‘fit for work’ under the new sickness benefits regime.
On top of this some parts of the media are giving the impression that everyone on a benefit is a workshy scrounger.
Mind has created its own newspaper, The Daily Stigma, to rebalance the public debate around benefits, welfare and mental health.
Share the paper to help us spread the message further.
Why benefits and welfare reform is important
Millions of people claim benefits and use the welfare system because of mental health problems. Even more should receive benefits but are unable to access them because the assessments of eligibility have not been adequate.
We believe that the welfare system should support everyone – with dignity – who is unable to work or requires additional support because of a mental health problem. If people are able to return to work, there should be personalised assistance and support to do so.
Key issues: what we're doing
The Government’s plans to shake up the welfare system have made many people anxious.
Mind will be fighting to protect the interests of people on benefits with mental health problems on several fronts: the language used around benefits; the specifics of the Work Capability Assessment; changes to Disability Living Allowance; and the content of the new Work Programme. Find out more about what we are doing >
Where you can find help
We realise that the rapid announcements about changes to the welfare and benefits system are causing a great deal of anxiety for people.
As a campaigning organisation, we are not able to offer personalised benefits advice. Please read our general advice, with information about which organisations can help you.
Our approach to campaigning
We know that welfare reform is a major issue for many of our supporters and we are committed to pushing for fair treatment of people with experience of mental distress in the welfare system.
This is a complex and politically-charged issue to campaign on but we are confident that we can achieve real change.
Find out more about our approach to campaigning on this issue
We need to work together to make our voices heard; find out how you can help below.
How you can get involved
- Help us promote our Daily Stigma tabloid newspaper
- Tell us your experience of benefits and the welfare system
- Become a Mind campaigner