Ellison, M. L., Anthony, W. A., Sheets, J. L., Dodds, W., Barker, W. I., Massaro, J., & Wewiorski, N. S. (2002). The Integration of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services in Behavioral Health Care Structures: A State Example. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 29(4), 381-393.

This article describes a model for integrating psychiatric rehabilitation services in a managed behavioral health care structure. Psychiatric rehabilitation and managed care are two distinct developments in the provision of mental health services that have proceeded independently though they can have compatible methods and outcomes. Descriptive detail is provided about a state initiative in Iowa to provide psychiatric rehabilitation services to those with serious mental illness through the state-contracted managed behavioral health care corporation. The article describes factors leading to the program's implementation, service delivery structures, reimbursements, personnel requirements, and performance indicators. Evidence for supporting this innovation is provided through a case-controlled outcomes study of mental health service units used and their costs for participants and matched controls.

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Harding, C. M. (2002). Beautiful Minds Can be Reclaimed. New York Times, March 10, 2002, Section 4, Page 9, Column 1.

Courtenay M Harding Op-Ed article holds many people with schizophrenia significantly improve or recover, without fanfare and frequently without much help from mental health system; credits their persistence, combined with family or community support; calls for setting up rehabilitation systems to spur many more patients to reclaim their lives; drawing (M)

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Macdonald-Wilson, K., Rogers, E. S., Massaro, J. M., Lyass, A., & Crean, T. (2002). An investigation of reasonable workplace accommodations for people with psychiatric disabilities: Quantitative findings from a multi-site study. Community Mental Health Journal, 38, 35-50.

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Examined the perceived benefits of alternative health care practices by individuals with serious mental illness. 157 individuals (mean age 46.6 yrs) with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or depressive disorder who reported mental health benefits from alternative health care practices completed surveys concerning the benefits of alternative practice. Results show that some subjects (Ss) seemed to benefit from a variety of alternative practices, including body-manipulation modalities such as massage and chiropractic. More frequently used practices included meditation, massage, yoga, and guided imagery. Religious or spiritual activities such as prayer, worship attendance, and religious or spiritual reading were commonly practiced and reported as beneficial. Alternative practices promoted the recovery process beyond the management of emotional and cognitive impairment by also enhancing social interaction, spirituality, and self-functioning.

Key Words: alternative health care practices; serious mental illness; bipolar disorder; schizophrenia; depression; benefits

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Russinova, Z., Wewiorski, N., Lyass, A., Rogers, E. S., & Massaro, J. (2002). Correlates of vocational recovery for persons with schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry, 14(4), 303-311..

The correlates of vocational recovery and vocational success among persons with schizophrenia were examined to identify prospective attributes that might be malleable and accessible to intervention. A national, non-representative sample of 109 individuals with a self reported diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder that met criteria for vocational recovery completed a survey on sustained employment of people with serious mental illness. Eighty-two participants (75%) had uninterrupted employment during the two years prior to entering the study while the rest sustained employment for at least 12 months during the same period of time. Respondents worked from 10 to 64 hours per week in jobs ranging from unskilled to professional and managerial positions. In multivariate analyses, previous work history and current receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) were correlated with current work hours per week; educational level and employment in consumer self-help/advocacy settings were associated with occupational status; and current receipt of SSI/SSDI was correlated with current salary per hour. This study provides evidence that some individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have the capacity to achieve and maintain successful employment despite the challenges presented by this serious mental illness.

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