Severe mental illness and employment

By Martin March, | Lifestyle | 2 Comments

A study at University of Manchester, UK, reported that people with severe mental illness were more likely to be successful in obtaining work after being in supported employment than after receiving prevocational training alone.

484 subjects were involved in the study, all of whom had severe mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression with psychotic features). Prevocational training was defined as any preparatory activity that participants were expected to undergo prior to seeking employment. Supported employment was defined as any employment offering on-the-job support. The outcome measure of the trial over a 24 month period was the number of participants in competitive employment.

The researchers found that, after 12 months, 34% of people in supported employment were still employed compared to 12% with prevocational training.

The researchers concluded that supported employment is more effective than prevocational training in assisting people with severe mental illness to gain and maintain competitive employment. The writers also recommended that UK agencies concerned with vocational rehabilitation of people with severe mental illness should consider the development and evaluation of supported employment schemes.