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Cited by 34Disability Education and EmploymentHealth Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of LifeEmployment and Welfare Studies

Economic analyses of supported employment programmes for people with mental health conditions: a systematic review

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Park, A-La, Rinaldi, Miles, Brinchmann, Beate, Killackey, Eoin, Aars, Nils Abel P., Mykletun, Arnstein, McDaid, David·2022·European Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2309PMC PMC9491084
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Abstract

Background: Employment is intrinsic to recovery from mental health conditions, helping people live independently. Systematic reviews indicate supported employment (SE) focused on competitive employment, including individual placement and support (IPS), is effective in helping people with mental health conditions into work. Evidence is limited on cost-effectiveness. We comprehensively reviewed evidence on the economic case for SE/IPS programmes. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, IBSS, Business Source Complete, and EconLit for economic and return on investment analyses of SE/IPS programmes for mental health conditions. Traditional vocational rehabilitation, sheltered work, and return to work initiatives after sickness absence of less than 1 year were excluded. Studies were independently screened by two reviewers. We assessed quality using the Consolidate Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist. The protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO-CRD42020184359. Results: From 40,015 references, 28 studies examined the economic case for IPS, four IPS augmented by another intervention, and 24 other forms of SE. Studies were very heterogenous, quality was variable. Of 41 studies with quality scores over 50%, 10 reported cost per quality-adjusted life year gained, (8 favourable to SE/IPS), 14 net monetary benefits (12 positive), 5 return on investment (4 positive), and 20 cost per employment outcome (14 favorable, 5 inconclusive, 1 negative). Totally, 24 of these 41 studies had monetary benefits that more than outweighed the additional costs of SE/IPS programmes. Conclusions: There is a strong economic case for the implementation of SE/IPS programmes. The economic case is conservative as evidence on long-term impacts of programmes is limited.

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  • Specialist education and employment services have been shown to be effective in supporting recovery in many different health systems and welfare contexts, to be cost-effective for adult populations, and to have growing evidence of efficacy in youth populations.

    “These services have been shown to be effective in supporting recovery in many different health systems and welfare contexts, 474 to be cost-effective for adult populations, 475 and to have growing evidence of efficacy in youth populations. 476”

    From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [475]

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Authors
Park, A.-L., Rinaldi, M., Brinchmann, B., Killackey, E., Aars, N. A. P., Mykletun, A., & McDaid, D.
Affiliations
  • Nordland Hospital Trust (NO)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (GB)
Corresponding author
Park, A-La
ORCID
Venue
European Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2022
Volume
65
Issue
1
Pages
e51-e51
ISSN
  • 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
  • 1778-3585
DOI
10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2309
PMC
PMC9491084
OpenAlex
W4292326324
Cited by
34
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1
FWCI
1.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • European Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • London School of Economics and Political Science Theses Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) (acceptedVersion)
  • London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • University of Cambridge
  • Norges Forskningsråd (273665, 280589, 227097)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Employment and Welfare Studies
Keywords
supported employment, Individual Placement and Support, mental illness, cost-effectiveness, return on investment, competitive employment, vocational rehabilitation, sheltered work, cost per quality-adjusted life year, net monetary benefit, employment effects
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Humans, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Vocational, Employment, Supported

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