Conceptualising disability: Health and legal perspectives related to psychosocial disability and work

Background. Work has been found to improve health outcomes and increase quality of life. It is also a vehicle through which people develop personally, earn an income and meet other needs, as it is recognised as a social determinant of health. However, persons with psychosocial disability face many barriers in their quest to achieve equality, experiencing ongoing marginalisation and exclusion from full participation in work. Objectives. To explore the nexus between South Africa's progressive Constitutional and legislative context, employers and the provision of health- and law-related services facilitating participation of persons with psychosocial disability in work. Methods. The authors, with diverse professional backgrounds, namely law, psychiatry and occupational therapy, developed a synthesised perspective to highlight issues that require consideration and to develop guiding principles from which practitioners can draw to support the participation of persons with psychosocial disability in work. Results. A perspective is shared to provide direction and inform practice aimed at promoting participation of persons with disability in work. Conclusion. Health professionals are reminded of their ethical duty to support persons with psychosocial disability to either stay at work or return to work as soon as possible. The potential dangers of sick leave in the absence of a return to work plan are highlighted, and the need for a multi-professional approach is emphasised.