Landscaping employment services for the mentally ill

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This project was intended to compare the quality of life of rehabilitees engaged in the Landscaping Employment Services programme with an unemployed group of rehabilitees. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 26 rehabilitees were invited to participate in the study with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. An experimental group of 13 rehabilitees was assigned to the Landscaping Employment Services for Rehabilitees, and a control group of 13 rehabilitees were also evaluated. The landscaping programme consisted of seven days of activity. The effects were measured using a ‘Quality of Life Inventory’ applied to rehabilitees. Patients' knowledge and performance of the specific materials taught in the Landscaping Employment Services for Rehabilitees programme was ascertained through assessments conducted before and after training. RESULTS: Results indicated that participants of the Landscaping Employment Services for Rehabilitees programme significantly improved their knowledge, performance of the skills and their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Not only can patients learn relatively complex material, but they can also meaningfully improve the continuity of their employment capability by participating in a brief and highly structured employment training programme.