Perspectives of unemployed workers with mental health problems: barriers to and solutions for return to work

Abstract

We conclude that the sick-listed unemployed workers with mental health problems have to deal with multiple problems, of which medical problems are only a part. These workers need help aimed at their coping methods according to one of the three types of workers' characteristics. Moreover, they need specific help organising and structuring their problems, getting their life back on track, and finding employment. Implications for Rehabilitation Unemployed workers with mental health problems face considerable challenges which impede their return to work. Evaluating the workers' attitude may provide useful information on their own return-to-work process. In many cases, workers indicate a need for coaching to help them with problem-solving, planning, gaining structure, getting their life back on track, and finding employment. Rehabilitation professionals should tailor RTW interventions to the needs of these workers, aimed at their specific problems and taking into account the workers' coping methods according to one of three types of workers' attitudes towards their own RTW process.

The Level and Development of Unemployment before Disability Retirement: A Retrospective Study of Finnish Disability Retirees and Their Controls

“…Unemployment was most common among those who retired due to mental disorders, especially if they came from lower socioeconomic groups. Increased efforts to maintain and improve work ability among the unemployed, for example, by means of rehabilitation [31,32] is crucial in diminishing disability retirement at the population level. As the level of unemployment is elevated already several years before disability retirement, work ability problems among the unemployed should be tackled in the early stages.…”

Assessment of prognosis by physicians involved in work disability evaluation: A qualitative study

“…The focus on medical aspects during the assessment of prognosis, also in disability evaluation, may be due to the basic medical training that doctors receive in medical school [12], [32]. In addition to medical aspects, inadequate coping, a lack of self-efficacy, and negative perceptions are also assessed by physicians in various countries when undertaking work or general disability assessments [33–35]. The presence or absence of these patient-related aspects may promote or hinder return to work [11], [33], [35].…”

“…In addition to medical aspects, inadequate coping, a lack of self-efficacy, and negative perceptions are also assessed by physicians in various countries when undertaking work or general disability assessments [33–35]. The presence or absence of these patient-related aspects may promote or hinder return to work [11], [33], [35]. The physicians in our study also attributed value to patient-related factors that can influence a person’s motivation or ability to work in the future.…”

Mental health literacy among vocational rehabilitation professionals and their perception of employers in the return-to-work process

“…To enable collaboration and an integrated service, effective communication is essential (OECD, 2013). Communication is shown to be problematic in the TVR approach since it includes a variety of authorities and organizations that follow different regulations (Audhoe, Nieuwenhuijsen, Hoving, Sluiter, & Frings-Dresen, 2018;Bejerholm, Larsson, & Hofgren, 2011;Ekberg, Eklund, & Hensing, 2015). While this may explain our results to some degree, this should not be used as a justification.…”

“…Individuals with mental health problems are a vulnerable group who would benefit from personcentred support by professionals in the RTW process (Audhoe et al, 2018;Durand et al, 2014;Porter, Lexén, Johanson, & Bejerholm, 2018). They not only suffer from mental health problems, which can be difficult to understand, but during the RTW process they also encounter professionals with different roles and regulatory frameworks and diverse approaches.…”