From the Guidelines
To improve vocational outcomes and overall health-related quality of life, I strongly recommend implementing a comprehensive approach that combines individual support services with workplace accommodations, as supported by the most recent evidence from 2024 1. This approach should include establishing supported employment programs that provide personalized job coaching, resume building, and interview preparation, as well as ongoing support after job placement.
- Key components of this approach include:
- Job training and vocational rehabilitation programs that provide guidance on compensating for cognitive impairments in the workplace
- Educational attainment and employment support, such as extended time on tests and use of adaptive software or devices
- Targeted employment interventions to increase hiring for underrepresented groups and reduce employment disparities
- Workplace accommodations tailored to individual needs, such as flexible scheduling, modified workspaces, or assistive technologies
- Additionally, developing soft skills training programs covering communication, time management, and conflict resolution is critical for job retention, as highlighted in the context of addressing social determinants of health 1.
- Employers should be educated about the benefits of inclusive hiring practices and provided with resources to support diverse employees, which can lead to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved workplace morale.
- Health-related outcomes can be improved by ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare benefits, implementing workplace wellness programs, and creating psychologically safe environments that reduce stress, as emphasized in the scientific statement from the American Heart Association 1.
From the Research
Strategies to Improve Vocational Outcomes
Several strategies can improve vocational outcomes, including competitive employment rates and job retention, as well as overall health-related quality of life. These strategies include:
- Supported employment, which involves placing clients in competitive jobs without extended preparation 2, 3, 4
- Individual placement and support (IPS) model, a form of supported employment that has been shown to be effective in improving competitive work outcomes 2, 4
- Job development and job support services, which can improve employment outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities 5
- Early work-related support to prevent labor market exclusion 3
Key Components of Effective Supported Employment Programs
Effective supported employment programs should include:
- Implementation of critical components of evidence-based supported employment 6
- Access to supported employment services, which can be related to the percentage of supported employment specialists per consumers with serious mental illness served by the mental health agency 6
- Quality of implementation of supported employment, which can affect efficiency and outcomes 6
Benefits of Supported Employment
Supported employment has been shown to have several benefits, including:
- Increased competitive employment rates and job retention 2, 3, 4
- Improved health-related quality of life 2, 4
- Reduced hospitalizations and psychiatric hospital admissions 4
- Higher social return on investment, with earnings from competitive employment exceeding program and treatment costs 4
Predictors of Supported Employment Program Outcomes
Several factors can predict supported employment program outcomes, including: