Listening for Recovery: The Vocational Success of People Living with Mental Illness

Abstract

Mental health occupational therapists work with some individuals who want employment but who are not successful at finding or keeping a job. The purpose of this qualitative study was to suggest factors contributing to vocational success. The investigators interviewed 8 participants who were recovering from psychosis. The interview texts were coded and analyzed for emerging themes. Three themes emerged that describe how the participants achieved vocational success: self-assessing their mental health regularly, actively working to maintain and improve their mental health, and striving to feel connected to others at work. The results are consistent with previous studies that found that a positive fit between a worker and the workplace is linked to the worker feeling connected to and valued by the workplace. This study suggests that supporting the ways individuals assess and promote their own mental health and recovery will contribute to their success at work. Occupational therapists are urged to help people find workplaces where they feel encouraged and comfortable as this appears to be an important factor in vocational success.