Economical and social return of psychosocial rehabilitation model based in needs. The SROI project

Abstract

Introduction Psychosocial Rehabilitation has demonstrated to be a key factor in the process of deinstitutionalisation, recovery and social inclusion of people affected by a Severe Mental Disorder. Nevertheless, there are few studies about social and economical return of this rehabilitation. The Fundacion Agustin Serrate is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which has been working, since 1995, with psychosocial rehabilitation in Huesca, a small province in the north of Spain. Objective The aim of this study is to determine and recognize the return and the impact that a rehabilitation and intervention model has in people with a severe mental disorder, on their families and on society. Methods Three services in its model of rehabilitation: day care centre, integration work centre and supervised houses. The SROI (Social Return Of Investment) methodology is a tool to make decisions based on the optimization of the social and work impacts of social projects. The study was done by meetings, workshops, interviews and questionnaires with all groups of interest (patients, families, psychiatrist…) Results A total of 208 users were attended in different services (65% men and 35% women). The age average was 45.8years. Sixty-eight percent of people had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. For each euro of investment, the organization returned to society 3.15euros (social return and economic). The users and their families improved their quality of life (individual and familiar). Conclusions The principal conclusion is that Psychosocial Rehabilitation is financially profitable for the society and governments; and it is useful for improving the quality of life of patients and their families.