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Geoffrey Waghorn,
Sukanta Saha, Carol Harvey,
Vera A Morgan,
Anna Waterreus,
Robert Bush,
David Castle,
Cherrie Galletly,
Helen J Stain,
Amanda L Neil,
Patrick McGorry,
John J McGrath
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ABSTRACT: Participation in mainstream education and employment facilitates both the recovery and the social inclusion of people with psychotic disorders. As part of the second Australian survey of psychosis, we assessed labour force activity and participation in formal education among working age adults with psychotic disorders.
Data were drawn from a large national community prevalence survey of adults with psychotic disorders. Known as the Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP), it was conducted in seven Australian catchment areas during March to December 2010. Current and past year labour force activity, current employment, past year participation in formal education and vocational training, and key clinical and demographic characteristics were examined in a sample of 1825 participants.
Only 22.4% of people with psychotic disorders were found to be employed (either full-time or part-time) in the month prior to the survey. In the previous 12 months, 32.7% were employed at some time. Of those in competitive employment, the majority worked part-time (63.9%), while a quarter worked 38 or more hours per week (23.4%). In terms of educational attainment, 18.4% reported difficulties with reading or writing, while 31.9% completed high school, which represents 12 years of formal education.
The proportion currently employed has remained stable at 22% since the last national survey in 1997. Policy makers and service providers could do more to ensure people with psychotic disorders obtain access to more effective forms of assistance with respect to both their continuing education and employment. More effective vocational and educational interventions for people with psychotic disorders appear to be urgently needed.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 06/2012; 46(8):774-85. · 2.93 Impact Factor
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Vera A Morgan,
Anna Waterreus,
Assen Jablensky,
Andrew Mackinnon,
John J McGrath,
Vaughan Carr,
Robert Bush,
David Castle,
Martin Cohen, Carol Harvey,
Cherrie Galletly,
Helen J Stain,
Amanda L Neil,
Patrick McGorry,
Barbara Hocking,
Sonal Shah,
Suzy Saw
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ABSTRACT: The 2010 Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) is Australia's second national psychosis survey. This paper provides an overview of its findings, including comparisons with the first psychosis survey and general population data.
The survey covered 1.5 million people aged 18-64 years, approximately 10% of Australians in this age group. A two-phase design was used. In phase 1, screening for psychosis took place in public mental health services and non-government organizations supporting people with mental illness. In phase 2, 1825 of those screen-positive for psychosis were randomly selected and interviewed. Data collected included symptomatology, substance use, functioning, service utilization, medication use, education, employment, housing, and physical health including fasting blood samples.
The estimated 1-month treated prevalence of psychotic disorders in public treatment services was 3.1 people per 1000 population; the 12-month treated prevalence was 4.5 people per 1000. The majority (63.0%) of participants met ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. One-half (49.5%) reported attempting suicide in their lifetime and two-thirds (63.2%) were rated as impaired in their ability to socialize. Over half (54.8%) had metabolic syndrome. The proportion currently smoking was 66.1%. Educational achievement was low. Only 21.5% were currently employed. Key changes in the 12 years since the first survey included: a marked drop in psychiatric inpatient admissions; a large increase in the proportion attending community mental health clinics; increased use of rehabilitation services and non-government organizations supporting people with mental illness; a major shift from typical to atypical antipsychotics; and large increases in the proportions with lifetime alcohol or drug abuse/dependence.
People with psychotic illness face multiple challenges. An integrated approach to service provision is needed to ensure that their living requirements and needs for social participation are met, in addition to their very considerable mental and physical health needs.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 06/2012; 46(8):735-52. · 2.93 Impact Factor
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Vera A Morgan,
Anna Waterreus,
Assen Jablensky,
Andrew Mackinnon,
John J McGrath,
Vaughan Carr,
Robert Bush,
David Castle,
Martin Cohen, Carol Harvey,
Cherrie Galletly,
Helen J Stain,
Amanda L Neil,
Patrick McGorry,
Barbara Hocking,
Sonal Shah,
Suzy Saw
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 06/2012;