Increasing Services for persons with Schizophrenia Khadija
Andrews 5 Minutes to Change Your Field CEP 532
Slide 3
What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a mental disorder
characterized by positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations and
delusions), negative symptoms (e.g. avolition and flattened
affect), and a decline in social and occupational functioning.
(Twamley, Jeste & Lehman, 2003)
Slide 4
When is schizophrenia diagnosed ? Most males become ill between
16 and 25 years old, most females develop symptoms several years
later, and the incidence in women is noticeably higher in women
after age 30. The average age of onset is 18 in men and 25 in
women. (www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm )
Slide 5
Schizophrenia Statistics An estimated 1.2% of the US population
has schizophrenia Ten years after the initial schizophrenic
diagnosis 25% have experienced recovery and 25% are much improved
and living independently. Another 25% are improved but still
require a constant support system. 15% end up hospitalized and,
tragically, 10% are dead after 10 years of living with
schizophrenia After 30 years of living with schizophrenia 25% of
people are in some form of recovery. 35% of people are improved and
lead fairly independent lives. 15% are still in need of extensive
support. Only 10% of treated schizophrenic patients are
hospitalized. 15% of those who suffer from this mental illness are
dead after 30 years
Slide 6
Where are the People with Schizophrenia? Approximately: 6% are
homeless or live in shelters 6% live in jails or prisons 5% to 6%
live in Hospitals 10% live in Nursing homes 25% live with a family
member 28% are living independently 20% live in Supervised Housing
(group homes, etc.) (Retrieved from
http://www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm)
Slide 7
Findings of Research Evidence and research suggests: Persons
with schizophrenia have low levels of employment and vocational
functioning for many years after the onset of illness. Most persons
diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have vocational services
included in their treatment plans. Persons who receive services
have higher rates of employment. Many persons with schizophrenia
are reluctant to seek employment for fear of losing federal/state
aid.
Slide 8
Effects of unemployment Functional decline in the ability to
maintain paid employment can be psychologically and economically
devastating to the individual with schizophrenia as well as his/her
family members, and it has a negative fiscal impact on the society
as a whole. (Twamley, Jeste & Lehman, 2003)
Slide 9
Employment Rates At least half of people with schizophrenia or
a similar mental illness are capable of competitive work. (Warner,
2009) Less that 15% of persons with schizophrenia are employed;
i.e. paid or community-based. Among persons working age (under 65)
fewer than 25% receive vocational services.
Slide 10
Disability Benefits & Employment Counselors must: Be
cognizant of the clients individual needs and situations. Discuss
with client the effect employment will have on the benefits they
receive. Weigh the financial costs and benefits, along with the
client, to determine the best outcome for them. Also discuss the
psychosocial and psychological benefits to being employed.
Slide 11
Recommendations Taking into consideration all the statistics
discussed earlier; consideration should be given to: Including
vocational services as part of the treatment for persons with
schizophrenia. Providing special programs and services for persons
with schizophrenia, that take into consideration their special
needs. Provide vocational counselors with more extensive training
in the area of counseling persons with schizophrenia.
Slide 12
What should programs entail? USE SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT Observe
and rate the clients behaviors and attitudes in either actual of
simulated work environments. RAPID PLACEMENT Clients who have
gained accelerated placement and on the job training tend to
maintain competitive employment. COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT Providing
either supported/competitive employment results in more long
lasting employment outcomes ONGOING SUPPORT Clients with mental
illness are more likely to maintain success if there is continuous
support throughout the process.
Slide 13
Conclusion Thomas Szasz (1973) said: The greatest analgesic,
soporific, stimulant, tranquilizer, narcotic, and to some extent
even antibiotic-in short, the closest thing to a genuine
panacea-known to medical science is work.
Slide 14
References Cook, Judith A., & Razzano, Lisa, (2000).
Vocation Rehabilitation for Persons with Schizophrenia: Recent
Research and Implications for Practice. Schizophrenia Bulletin,
26(1), 87-103. Leff, H. Stephen., Cook, Judith A., Gold, Paul B.,
et al. (2005).Effects on Job Development and Job Support on
Competitive Employment of Persons with Severe Mental Illness.
Psychiatric Services, 56(10), 1237-1244. Schizophrenia Facts and
Statistics Retrieved from www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm on
December 4, 2010. Schizophrenia Statistics Retrieved from
www.schizophrenic.com/content/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-statistics
on December 4, 2010. Twamley, Elizabeth W., Jeste, Dilip V.,
Lehman, Anthony F. (2003). Vocational Rehabilitation in
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders: A Literature Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlles Trials. British Journal
of Nervous and Mental Disease, 191(8), 515-523. Warner, Richard
(2009). The Last Word: Why work? Disincentives to Employment in the
Benefits System. CrossCurrents. Retrieved from
www.camh.net/Publications/Cross_Currents/Summer_2009/lastword_crcusummer
09.html on December 4, 2010