Supported employment over the long term: From effectiveness to sustainability

摘要

For most of us, work provides not only financial remuneration but also a sense of purpose and connection to society. While a majority of people with mental illness would like to work, many face challenges in finding and maintaining a job, including lack of skills and experience, fear of losing disability benefits, and stigma (1). These barriers maybe worsening over time. In the United States, employment rates for individuals treated in community mental health settings declined from 23% in 2003 to 17.8% in 2012 (2). Globally, rates of mental disability are rising, and individuals with mental disorders now constitute one-third of disability claimants in developed countries (3).