Perspectives of unemployed workers with mental health problems: barriers to and solutions for return to work

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the barriers to and solutions for return to work (RTW) from the perspective of unemployed workers who were sick-listed due to mental health problems.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 sick-listed unemployed workers with mental health problems. Qualitative data analysis was performed, using a process of identifying, coding, and categorising the patterns in data.

Results: All workers experienced multiple problems in different domains of life related to their disease, personal circumstances (e.g., divorced, debts) and their environment (e.g., labour market problems, issues with the Social Security Agency). Workers differed in the way they perceived their RTW process and in the extent to which they were able to envision and implement the solutions for RTW, thus resulting in three types of workers’ attitudes towards their own RTW process: (1) “frozen”; (2) “insightful though passive”; and (3) “action mode”.

Conclusions: We conclude that the sick-listed unemployed workers with mental health problems have to deal with multiple problems, of which medical problems are only a part. These workers need help aimed at their coping methods according to one of the three types of workers’ characteristics. Moreover, they need specific help organising and structuring their problems, getting their life back on track, and finding employment.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Unemployed workers with mental health problems face considerable challenges which impede their return to work. Evaluating the workers’ attitude may provide useful information on their own return-to-work process.

• In many cases, workers indicate a need for coaching to help them with problem-solving, planning, gaining structure, getting their life back on track, and finding employment.

• Rehabilitation professionals should tailor RTW interventions to the needs of these workers, aimed at their specific problems and taking into account the workers’ coping methods according to one of three types of workers’ attitudes towards their own RTW process.

Keywords:

• Unemployment
• return to work
• sick leave
• mental disorder
• participation

Acknowledgements

Appreciation is extended to the participants who, although in a difficult situation, took the time to participate in this study and share their thoughts and feelings with us.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.