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. 2020 Nov 5:29:e178.
doi: 10.1017/S2045796020000906.

Employment is a critical mental health intervention

Robert E Drake  1 , Michael A Wallach  2
Affiliations

Employment is a critical mental health intervention

Robert E Drake et al. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. .

Abstract

employment is critically important in mental health care. Unemployment worsens mental health and gaining employment can improve mental health, even for people with the most serious mental illnesses. In this editorial, we argue for a new treatment paradigm in mental health that emphasises employment, because supported employment is an evidence-based intervention that can help the majority of people with mental health disability to succeed in integrated, competitive employment. Unlike most mental health treatments, employment engenders self-reliance and leads to other valued outcomes, including self-confidence, the respect of others, personal income and community integration. It is not only an effective short-term treatment but also one of the only interventions that lessen dependence on the mental health system over time.

Keywords: Community mental health; evidence-based psychiatry; health service research; psychiatric services.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interests.

References

    1. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (1990) Pub. L. No. 101-336. 108th Congress, 2nd session.
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    1. Bush P, Drake RE, Xie H, McHugo GJ and Haslett W (2009) The long-term impact of employment on mental health service use and costs. Psychiatric Services 60, 1024–1031. - PubMed
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    1. Drake RE (editor) (2020) Special issue: international implementation of individual placement and support. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 43, 1–82. - PubMed

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