Workers' perspectives on self-directing mainstream return to work following acute mental illness: reflections on partnerships.
OBJECTIVE
To examine barriers and facilitators influencing self-direction of return to mainstream work following acute mental illness.


METHODS
Five individuals who had attempted return to mainstream work following acute mental illness.


METHODS
In depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with the five participants selected through purposive sampling.


RESULTS
The three main themes related to the workers' self-direction of their return to work experience were (a) worker self-management, (b) workers' 'personal' partnerships and (c) workplace partnerships.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal and workplace partnerships are integral to supporting workers as they take ownership of their full potential and self-direct return to mainstream work.
Hatchard Rehabilitation Solutions, Penticton, BC, Canada. hatchardspec@telus.net
Kathy
K
Hatchard
Julia
J
Henderson
Susan
S
Stanton
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*