The video is produced by the Mental Health Media charity and addresses the concerns employers have about employing people with mental health problems.

Research shows that the mentally ill have the highest rates of unemployment of any disabled group.

Unemployment rates for disabled people generally is 21%, compared to 37% for people with mental health problems.

The government believes getting disabled people into work is the best way of relieving their poverty and social exclusion.

Launching the video, social security minister Hugh Bayley said: "The video complements the government's initiatives to help disabled people who want to work to fulfil their ambitions.

"The government believes that work is the best route out of poverty for disabled people, where it is practical.

"We are committed to improving opportunities and incentives for disabled people who want to work, while providing appropriate support to those who cannot."

Challenging discrimination

The government is due to launch a public information and education campaign later this year to challenge discrimination against the disabled.

As part of this, the Department for Education and Employment will launch a good practice guide for employing disabled people, including the mentally ill.

Margaret Hodge, minister for disabled people, said: "We want a positive climate in which people with disabilities can live and work to their full potential."

She added that the good practice guide would show how employers can make "simple adjustments" which are relatively cheap to allow better access for the disabled.

Mental health charity Mind is launching its own employer pack later this year and is calling for anti-discrimination law to be strengthened.

It says it receives many calls from employers about the Disability Discrimination Act which aims to counter prejudice in the workplace.

"They want to know how to avoid discrimination and how to educate their work force," said a spokeswoman.

Ignorance

According to Mind, prejudice against the mentally ill is based on ignorance that they can hold down a job and that much mental illness is episodic in nature.

Mind has produced a ten-point plan to address discrimination in the workplace.

It suggests, for example, that employers should consider flexible hours, offer support to the mentally ill and raise awareness among other staff.

It adds that improving the workplace for people with mental health problems could also help other staff and play a role in health prevention.