The method chosen is feasible and was accepted by the target group. Project structure and processes proved to be applicable for the implementation of the project aims. The method chosen reaches an up to now "psychiatry-inexperienced" target group characterised by frequent incidence of mental disorders and low utilisation of psychiatric care. Thus, vocational reintegration programmes should be supported by psychiatric services.

IntroductionThere are complex associations between work and mental health. Self-efficacy, experience of own abilities and appropriate challenges are important prerequisites of mental health. Availability of these factors is specifically decreased in the elder long term unemployed and results in higher vulnerability for mental impairment.ObjectivesInvestigation on mental health of elder long term unemployed personsAimsTo examine incidence of mental disorders in elder long term unemployed personsMethodsSenior long term unemployed participants in a vocational reintegration program were examined. Clients were allocated by choice to the study by their placement officers. An extensive psychiatric examination including structured clinical interviews (SKID) and clinical and personality questionnaires (BDI, STAI, MSWS, SCL 90-R, SF36, AUDIT, FTNA) was performed with each subject.Results90 subjects were included into the study so far and 42 completed the psychiatric examination. The mean age was 54.7 years and gender ratio was balanced. 94% were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and 80% were diagnosed with more than one disorder according to ICD-10. In particular, 78.6% of the subjects had depression, 40.5% anxiety disorders, 35.7% combined personality disorders, 26.2% posttraumatic disorders, 21.4% addiction disorders, 16.7% single personality disorders and 7.1% psychotic disorders.ConclusionA large proportion of the long term unemployed persons examined is affected by mental disorders. Along with the high incidence of depressive, anxiety and addiction disorders there was a considerable number of personality and specifically trauma-related disorders. Accordingly, personality disorders may be a risk factor for unemployment in elder people too.

IntroductionUnemployment is associated with various psychosocial strain factors. Previous studies show correlations between unemployment and impaired mental health. Present examinations on this set of problems mainly focused on younger unemployed, while specific psychosocial strains of senior unemployed persons were scarcely presented.ObjectivesInvestigation on psychiatric services for senior long term unemployed personsAimsTo examine the exigency and feasibility of specific mental health interventions for senior long term unemployed personsMethodsSenior long term unemployed participants in a vocational reintegration program underwent psychiatric examination and counseling. Placement officers recommended participation by choice to their clients and diagnostic examinations including clinical interviews and questionnaires were performed. Clients then received either direct treatment by the project staff, e.g. focal short-term therapy, or were placed in appropriate treatments. Numbers of clients who consented and who refused participation, dropout rates, psychiatric diagnoses and treatment placements were recorded.ResultsAttendance in the program was recommended to 161 clients to the date of this report. 136 clients consented with participation and 90 were included into examination. 21% discontinued participation in the course of examination. Of the unemployed persons surveyed, 96% received a psychiatric diagnosis and 80% multiple psychiatric diagnoses. 7% were placed to inpatient-treatment and 31% to ambulatory treatment.ConclusionPsychiatric services were highly requested and senior unemployed persons are specifically affected by mental disorders that presumably interfere with vocational reintegration. According to this, vocational reintegration programs should be flanked by psychiatric services to give consideration to the specific psychosocial strains of unemployed persons.