title: [Integration possibilities of graduates of the Vocational Retraining Center Heidelberg with mental handicaps].
abstract: Persons with chronic mental illness face particular difficulties in finding employment, a fact which is substantiated by the studies referred to in the present article. Placement outlook however is considerably improved by qualified vocational training. Of the 1984-87 programme participants with chronic mental illness of the BFW Heidelberg, the Heidelberg vocational retraining centre, some 60% were occupationally integrated 18 to 30 months after having completed their training. The majority of them had found employment appropriate to their training and disablement, felt neither under- nor over-strained, and were satisfied with their work. The share of occupationally integrated persons was lower when compared with programme participants with other disablements, yet hardly any differences were found relative to placement quality. The share of limited duration employment, however, was greater for those with chronic mental illness. Programme participation had entailed improvements in occupational status, income and/or life situation for about two thirds. Integration and rehabilitation outcomes above all are determined by the baseline situation present as well as by severity and chronicity of the condition. The diagnosis has hardly any influence on occupational course, but is highly relevant in respect of the expectations held and the opinions on what has been achieved. The value of vocational rehabilitation is indicated by the improvements attained vis-à-vis the initial situation, as well as by keeping in mind that great numbers of persons with chronic mental illness retire prematurely within but a few years if no rehabilitation intervention is provided.
authors.affiliation: Referent für Erfolgskontrolle, Stiftung Rehabilitation Heidelberg.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wöhrl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
vernacular_title: Eingliederungschancen von Absolventen des BFW Heidelberg mit einer psychischen Behinderung.