[Implementation of the principle of supported employment in Germany : Position paper of a task force of the DGPPN]. / Umsetzung der Prinzipien des Supported Employment in Deutschland : Positionspapier einer Task-Force der DGPPN.

The effects of mental diseases on the employment and working situation can be substantial. They are one of the main reasons for inability to work and reduced earning capacity. Against this background the question arises about suitable occupational reintegration measures for people with severe mental illnesses. In recent years, the principle of supported employment has been internationally shown to be increasingly more successful. In this context mentally ill people are primarily placed at a position of the first employment market and supported on-site by a job coach. This concept is inclusive, individual and evidence based. Despite proven effectiveness, it has so far been insufficiently implemented in German-speaking regions. In the future it will be a matter of considering the individual needs for assistance of mentally ill people more intensively than previously and to respond with functional and in a best-case scenario, multiprofessional and flexible offers.

[Medical and vocational rehabilitation in rehabilitation facilities for people with mental illnesses in Germany: Analysis of admission and discharge data]. / Medizinisch-berufliche Rehabilitation in Rehaeinrichtungen für psychisch Kranke in Deutschland : Analyse der Aufnahme- und Entlassungsdaten.

BACKGROUND: Integrative medical and vocational rehabilitation has been implemented in Germany in rehabilitation facilities for people with mental illnesses (RPK). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In all 52 RPK facilities in Germany the admission and discharge data of all rehabilitation patients are collected and accumulated at facility level before they are combined at the registration office of the Federal Association of RPKs (BAG RPK). This study is based on a descriptive analysis of admission and discharge data of 1311 rehabilitation patients in the year 2010. RESULTS: Nearly two thirds of the 1311 RPK rehabilitation patients met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or affective disorders. A subgroup of 39.1 % of all patients participated in vocational RPK measures (programs for participation in working life, LTA) after having received medical RPK measures. After completion of the vocational RPK measures 38 % of the rehabilitation patients were employed and 26 % were in education and retraining, i.e. 64 % of the patients were employed in the labor market or in educational measures. The housing and living conditions of the majority of patients changed in the direction of increased autonomy after completion of the RPK measures. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: For people with severe mental illnesses, RPKs can be a place of successful rehabilitative measures facilitating participation in community life. Future studies need to investigate predictors of outcome.