Vocational rehabilitation for people with mental health problems

The majority of people with mental health problems want to work, yet they have the lowest employment rate for any disabled group of people in the UK. Research shows that unemployment is linked to worsening physical and mental health, whilst having a job is good for a person’s physical and mental health and can lead to a reduction in symptoms, fewer hospital admissions and reduced service use. Mental health professionals have an important role in promoting employment opportunities for people with mental health problems, in terms of helping them to both gain and retain employment. However, evidence suggests that all too often the advice and guidance given by mental health professionals is not in line with the research evidence available for helping people with mental health problems gain and retain employment. There is currently a range of vocational rehabilitation services for people with mental health problems provided or commissioned by mental health services, though few are evidence-based in their approach. Over the last decade there have been significant developments in an evidence-based approach within vocational rehabilitation for people with severe mental health problems which have demonstrated that people can gain and retain employment. The Department of Health has published guidance on vocational services for people with severe mental health problems. In addition, there is an emerging evidence base identifying factors and interventions that promote job retention. The extent to which mental health services promote confidence in work is critical if success is to be achieved.