Psychiatric News (4/9) reports a study found that patients with mental illness “who have severe symptoms or a co-occurring substance use disorder can benefit just as well as their peers from supported employment programs like individual placement services (IPS).” The researchers “analyzed employment trajectories among 1,656 participants in a randomized controlled trial of enhanced IPS services that measured employment, health, and quality-of-life outcomes over three years.” They observed that “individuals who had a history of employment and/or higher educational attainment were much more likely to experience a positive work trajectory (going from low to high employment or staying consistently high). In contrast, individuals approved for disability benefits were more likely to have consistently low employment.” The researchers concluded “that policy and programmatic efforts should focus on early, sustained educational and vocational support, particularly for youths with mental disorders.” The study was published in Psychiatric Services.
Related Links:
— “Psychiatric Symptom Severity or Presence of SUD Doesn’t Limit Success of Employment Services, Psychiatric News, April 9, 2026