One in four people experience mental ill health in any one year – more people than will be diagnosed with cancer.

The Government's State of the Nation report, "poverty, worklessness and welfare dependency in the UK", has said the total cost of mental health issues in England is as high as £77 billion.

The National Institute for Mental Health in England says people with mental health problems are less likely to be employed than any other group of disabled people in the UK. This is a real set of issues with real costs to society. It is perhaps no wonder that there is a specific International Mental Health Day – October 10.

Mental ill health is not a single issue akin to a broken bone – there is as much variety in individuals' experiences as wider societal understandings of mental health. This can range from the relatively common depression and anxiety related issues to conditions such as schizophrenia. And because of this variation feeling better can be a relative concept and does not always equate to being well.

Some people have ongoing mental ill-health while other people find it triggered by life events. And an individual's awareness of their mental ill-health can be sudden while others have a gradual realisation – not always easy to accept.

There is also a variation of understanding and discrimination from family, friends, employers and society. Because of this, few people mention their experiences of mental ill-health to their employers.

Pentreath is an award-winning charity that was established more than 20 years ago and promotes good mental health and wellbeing through personal development, education and employment. Clients from all backgrounds can access programmes including vocational and recreational activities that encourage individuals to move forward.

ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence investment has been used by Pentreath to work creatively with more than 500 people who are furthest from the labour market. Because services are led by the needs of the clients, the charity always provides a fresh and continually changing service.

Projects provide training, work experience and employment opportunities, and self-referrals as well as from GPs, Jobcentre Plus and other organisations are accepted.

In 2006 Pentreath had the opportunity through Comic Relief to embed two young people's vocational workers into the Early Intervention Teams to work with 13 to 21-year-olds. The aim was to work with young people experiencing their first signs of psychosis, open up training opportunities and provide support with personal development.

Not only was the project a success, but they realised that there was a need for vocational support services for young people across Cornwall with mental and emotional health issues. Because of this, Pentreath made the decision to bid into the Convergence programme for money to deliver a programme. It was awarded a Cornwall Council contract in 2008 and employed one member of staff to engage with 14-19-year-olds.

Pentreath now delivers a one-to-one service within the community and supports young people to build their confidence, raise self-esteem and reduce anxieties. This leads to work placements and college. Between June 2009 and June this year we worked with 124 young people, with many progressing into further education, apprenticeships, work and volunteering.

The success of the Freestyle programme has enabled them to build a youth team. They now employ five young people's advisers and run a bespoke training programme to support young people to improve their skills and knowledge, leading to positive progression and better futures for young people in Cornwall.

Having mental ill-health does not mean you cannot have a successful career.

Access to information and mental health services are available through your GP, the disability employment advisors in Jobcentre Plus, employers, human resources departments and specialist organisations such as:

Outlook South West: Advice, information and support for people experiencing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, panic and work-related stress. Call 0800 678 3112 or visit www.outlooksw.co.uk.

Cornwall Mental Health: Commissioned by the Cornwall Primary Care Trust to provide access to all services that are involved with emotional health and wellbeing. Call 01736 330538 or visit www.cornwall mentalhealth.com.

We live in challenging times – and yet the talents and skills of all people have positive contributions to make to our society and economy. Now more than ever it is vital that as many people as possible have the best possible chance to unlock their own potential.