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Janet Durbin, MSc, Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, T310, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada, (416) 535-8501(6229), Janet_Durbin@Camh.net
This paper describes work and volunteer activity of individuals using intensive community services and peer support. Data were collected at study entry from 549 individuals who were followed for 18 months. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis and the mean years of illness duration was 16. At baseline assessment, 159 individuals (29%) were working. These individuals were more likely to be volunteer than paid workers, and were more likely to be casual than regular part-time or full-time. Members of self-help were more likely to be working than those enrolled in ACT or intensive case management (44% versus 15%). In this latter group, the number working increased over time, but still only reached 22% after 18 months. Improvement was more likely in programs that employed dedicated vocational specialists and among individuals who were new program users. Long term users of ACT seemed to stabilize at a low level of employment activity. Ratings of empowerment and self-esteem were higher among people who were working, but there was no difference between those volunteering and doing paid work. While the field increasingly recognizes the important role of work in people’s lives, many individuals using community programs are not working, even after 18 months of intensive support. Volunteering appears to play a valuable role and may be a more attainable goal for some individuals.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Mental Health Services,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.