Working, Receiving Disability Benefits, and Access to Mental Health Care in Individuals With Bipolar Disorder

The socodemographic, disease, treatment, & health insurance characteristics among three work disability groups in a bipolar disorder registry – working, not working, & not working & receiving disability benefits – were compared. Among 1,855 participants, 49.4% reported they were working. This group had the lowest percentage of suicide attempts (41%) compared to 61% of the 342 participants in the not working group, & 62% of the 596 participants in the not working & receiving disability benefits group. Disability benefits increased the likelihood of receiving health care benefits and, in many case, better benefits than those provided through health care insurance received through an employer. (22 refs.)