Community rehabilitation programmes

I've been spending this week with a Condition Management Programme run from a Primary Care Trust. Condition Management Programmes (CMP) run in conjunction with the Job Centre Plus and their "Pathways to Work" programme all across the UK, and their aim is to encourage those that have been on incapacity benefit (now called employment and support allowance) for a long time to get back to work through running workshops concentrating on:

• Stress management
• Managing their condition
• Goal setting
• Time management
• Coping strategies
• How to be assertive

Most of their customers have some sort of mental health problem, such as depression, that has prevented them from working. There are some who have had accidents at work or have suffered long term chronic illnesses such as spondylosis or disc prolapses. Most benefit and the changes in the person are noticeable. Many then actively seek work and feel better in themselves. There is no doubt that the service is effective. A great deal of support is given, with free six month gym passes and travel expenses paid for. Free lunches are also provided, all in an effort to keep people attending and show up in the first place. I went to a session on Monday, and there was a diverse group of people. One lady was an out of work mental health nurse, one had an accident at work, and another alcoholic.

One lady, who opened up immediately, was obviously keen to participate in the group. She had left the Army three years ago, and had served in the Royal Artillery. Suffering constant flashbacks and what was obviously post-traumatic stress disorder, she had turned to recreational drugs and had been dishonourably discharged from the Army, losing her pension. She had used amphetamine and ended up with what she called "phet psychosis". Thankfully, she had sought treatment and was under the care of a CPN. She was on olanzapine, which relieved her symptoms and she was "back in touch with reality" now.

The programme really does benefit the people that enter it, and many go on to get good jobs and the difference in their life is tangible. I sincerely hope that she manages to finish the programme and get her life back on track.

For more info, here's some research that's been done on CMP's.