title: Supporting workers with mental health problems to retain employment: users' experiences of a UK job retention project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand experiences and perspectives of job retention project users in relation to challenges faced and support received; to develop explanatory insight into effective interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 employed users of a United Kingdom job retention project, with a range of mental health problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured individual interviews which were collaboratively designed with service users. Data analysis involved deductive & inductive thematic analysis, constant comparative analysis, and service user collaboration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' feelings of guilt and self blame were a major obstacle to job retention. The project helped them address these by supporting a reappraisal of their situation. This assisted identification of job accommodations and adjustments and confidence in self advocacy. Thus an important basis for improved dialogue with their employer was established. A peer support group provided an important adjunct to individual project worker interventions. 10 participants retained employment; three of those who did not were helped to retain work aspirations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The project effectively used a multi-faceted approach involving a person - environment-occupation focus on the worker, their work, and workplace. Such complex interventions may offer more promise than those interventions (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) which have a primary focus on the individual worker.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Division, School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK. j.cameron@brighton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Gaynor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sadlo
authors.forename: Imogen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haslam
authors.lastname: Retain Support Group
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016832:Employment, Supported / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011340:Problem Solving; D011361:Professional Competence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support