Disability support service Remploy has won a contract with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) worth an estimated £4.8m to deliver the UK’s first government-funded mental health in the workplace support service.

Last year Remploy Employment Services found 20,000 jobs in mainstream employment for people with a range of physical, sensory and mental disabilities, and other disadvantages.

Beth Carruthers, Remploy’s director of employment services, says: “Creating a mentally healthy and open workplace where employees feel supported enough to discuss their mental health condition will help employers to reduce costs, improve commitment and satisfaction amongst employees, while creating an inclusive and diverse workforce.”

One in six people in the UK suffers from a mental health condition at any one moment, and according to charity Mind, mental ill health results in the loss of 70m working days every year, and the associated staff turnover costs total £2.4bn.

The service will be provided at no cost to either employer or employee.