Predicting Successful Employment in the Community for People with a History of Chronic Mental Illness

Much work has been done to prepare people with a history of chronic mental illness for vocational placement. Evaluation tools can select some who are likely to be successful in competitive or sheltered work. Many whose psychiatric disability is so severe it interferes seriously with their capacity for work have need for more pre-vocational or vocational skills training. A literature survey shows many programs designed to help this population but little specific outcome data. Other articles state the need for empirical research. With limited funds and a large underserved population, further research is important.