Vocational rehabilitation for subjects with severe mental illnesses in Germany

Objective  To assess the longitudinal effectiveness of a comprehensive vocational rehabilitation program in Germany. Methods  In a non-randomized open study, 106 participants of two comprehensive rehabilitation programs were prospectively and multidimensionally compared to a control group (n = 75) at program termination and at a 9 months follow-up. Primary outcome was employment status at 9 months follow-up, secondary outcome parameters were changes in symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), subjective well-being (WHOQOL-Bref), and level of functioning (Level of Functioning Scale) during the study. Results  Regarding the primary outcome measure, there was significant more day structuring employment (mainly sheltered) in the rehabilitation group than in the comparison group (39.7 vs. 18.7%) at 9 months follow-up. Regarding secondary outcomes, rehabilitation participants showed a better course in general symptoms, subjective well-being and level of functioning. Conclusion  Vocational services proved to be effective to find day structuring employment for subjects with severe mental illness. Furthermore it had positive effects on functioning and psychological well-being during a 9-months follow-up period.