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Although medication is the primary intervention offered in the treatment of
schizophrenia, often it is not enough by itself to manage or reduce the impact of the illness. Education, social, vocational and employment rehabilitation services that may be helpful at various stages of recovery should all be available from your local health board. Below are some of the supports that should be provided.
What is Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is defined as "a facilitative process involving individuals who are disadvantaged in terms of accessing life in the mainstream. The rehabilitative process aims to enable individuals to access as independent a life as possible in social, cultural and economic terms which is in keeping with their aspirations" (Irish Association of Rehabilitation Professionals 1998). In other words, rehabilitation is any activity or process which fosters recovery.
Education
Education for the individual and the family about schizophrenia is essential. Providing education and information enables the person with schizophrenia as well as the family to take an active role in the recovery and rehabilitation process, and to do so from an informed and empowered position.
Rehabilitation and Vocational Training
Work has the potential to be a ’normalising’ experience and to provide benefits such as enhanced personal satisfaction, increased selfesteem, additional income and financial independence. It also provides opportunities for social interaction and recreational activities. Work is frequently identified as an important goal of people with schizophrenia. Any person with schizophrenia who expresses an interest in gaining employment, or who may benefit from employment, should receive vocational services, which will assist with the identification of the best options with regard to training, re-training or placement.
Responsibility for rehabilitation in Ireland is broadly under the auspices of two agencies: the Health Boards and FÁS.
Health Board funded rehabilitative services include the following approaches:
Life Skills Training
Mental illness is often associated with reduced or poor living skills and life management skills. Life skills training focuses on the development or redevelopment of every day living skills to enable independent living. Areas such as personal care, diet and healthy living, budgeting, time management, and home management may be addressed as part of this training.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation
This recognises that many issues associated with poor mental health relate to processes or factors that are both social and psychological in origin. Psychosocial rehabilitation encourages the individual to take responsibility for his or her own life. Programmes using this model generally include personal development, life and career planning. Some also have mental health education, management and self-advocacy elements.
Training & Sheltered Work
Training and sheltered work combine the development of basic work and life skills with day-to-day experiences and routine activity. These projects provide a stable basis for individuals to develop ongoing activities. Training and sheltered work also supports those with enduring mental illness.
Specialised services for people with a disability provided by FÁS include
Prevocational Training
This is designed to prepare participants return to further training or work. Prevocational training involves elements of personal development, career planning, job sampling and job seeking skills.
Vocational Training
Vocational training involves specific work skills training and would include training for crafts, technical trades and administration-based employment. Programmes developed specifically for people with disability often include options such as personal development, compensatory education and personal planning.
Community Initiatives
For example ’Community Employment’ and ’Job Initiative’. These government initiatives are aimed at long termed unemployed and marginalized groups, allowing individuals to work in approved organisations. Eligibility depends on issues such as age, geographical area, length of time unemployed, membership of a marginalized group. Programmes often include elements of training and support.
Supported Employment
Participants are assigned a Job Coach who supports them to access and maintain work within the workplace.
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