Workers' perspectives on self-directing mainstream return to work following acute mental illness: Reflections on partnerships

Issue title: Partnerships: Creating Vocational Options for People with Mental Illness

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hatchard, Kathy | Henderson, Julia^; | Stanton, Susan^;

Affiliations: Hatchard Rehabilitation Solutions, Penticton, BC, Canada | Rehabilitation Science Online Programs, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada | Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kathy Hatchard, Hatchard Rehabilitation Solutions, 405 Valiant Drive, Penticton, BC, V2A 8Y1, Canada. Tel.: +1 250 486 3200; Fax: +1 250 487 9007; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Objective: To examine barriers and facilitators influencing self-direction of return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. Participants: Five individuals who had attempted return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. Methods: In depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with the five participants selected through purposive sampling. Results: The three main themes related to the workers' self-direction of their return to work experience were (a) worker self-management, (b) workers' 'personal' partnerships and (c) workplace partnerships. Conclusion: Personal and workplace partnerships are integral to supporting workers as they take ownership of their full potential and self-direct return to mainstream work.

Keywords: Mental illness, return to work, self-direction, partnerships

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1446

Journal: Work, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 43-52, 2012