Follow-up of a group of unemployed patients consecutively admitted to an emergency psychiatric department

Summary

This investigation is a follow-up of 70 unemployed patients consecutively admitted to an emergency psychiatric department. The follow-up took place 1/2 and 1 year after the admission. There was a significant fall in the consumption of alcohol and benzodiazepines and approximately a half maintained that their general mental condition had improved. About a half had had work in the followup period, and most of the patients had personally been active in trying to find work. Direct inquiry at places of work was by far the most effective way of obtaining work. The group of persons for whom the subsequent employment process was relatively positive (group I, 18 persons) was in relation to the remaining persons (group II) characterized by a significantly lower frequency of previous admissions to psychiatric departments and of sick leave prior to unemployment. The duration of the current unemployment period was shorter and the admission longer. In the follow-up period the persons in group I were characterized by a higher degree of control of alcohol consumption, improvement in general mental condition and improvement in interpersonal relations. Differential psychosocial evaluation prior to attempts at re-establishment in the labour market together with utilization of diverse “in-between stations” following admission to psychiatric department were significant elements in a favourable development.