title: Readiness for employment: perceptions of mental health service users.
abstract: Work is good for both physical and mental health, and access to work is a basic human right. People with mental health conditions want to work and with the right support can work but are often excluded from the workplace. We explored factors influencing individual's perceptions of their readiness for employment. Participants' narratives focused particularly on personal causation and it's inter-reactions with other aspects of volition, habituation and the environment and highlight a number of key areas, which are discussed in relation to service provision. Sheltered workshops offer support and some structure and routine but may limit an individual's readiness for employment. Services should be evidence based and focused on real work opportunities which fit with individual's interests and values. Occupational therapy theory offers a unique and valuable perspective in understanding perceptions of readiness for employment and occupational therapists offer valid and useful assessments and interventions for vocational rehabilitation.
authors: School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU, Scotland, UK, sprior@qmu.ac.uk.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Prior
authors: Donald
authors: D
authors: Maciver
authors: Kirsty
authors: K
authors: Forsyth
authors: Mike
authors: M
authors: Walsh
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Meiklejohn
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Irvine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004493:Education; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult