Enable is a ground-breaking service that was piloted in Shropshire to provide support for people with mental health problems in order for them to return to their work. It began in October 2002 and proved so successful that it has been extended and refunded on a permanent basis into the future. Because of the social and economic changes over the past decade, the time appears right for occupational therapists to reinvolve themselves in the area of employment. The project leader, an occupational therapist, makes the case for this new type of vocational rehabilitation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeaumontD (2003) Rehabilitation and retention in the workplace: the interaction between GPs and occupational health professionals. A consensus statement. Rehab Network, 64, 4–5.
2.
BeaumontDQuinlanR (2002) Vocational rehabilitation, case management and occupational health. Occupational Medicine, 52 (6), 293–95.
3.
British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (2001) Vocational rehabilitation: the way forward. London: BSRM.
4.
FrankAO (2003) Vocational rehabilitation: helping those with illness or disability remain in, or enter work, a challenge for the NHS. Rehab Network, 64, 11–22.
5.
HarriesPAGilhoolyK (2003) Generic and specialist occupational therapy casework in community mental health. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66 (3), 101–109.
6.
StewardB (1997) Employment in the next millennium: the impact of changes in work on health and rehabilitation. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60 (6), 268–72.
7.
ThomasTSeckerJGroveB (2002) Job retention and mental health: a review of the literature. London: Institute of Applied Health and Social Policy, King's College London.