IPS/Peer Support Intervention in the DTES

Not Applicable

Brief Summary: Individual placement support (IPS) is an evidence-based supported employment model for people with severe mental illness, designed to achieve employment in mainstream competitive jobs, either part-time or full-time. The aim of this study is to assess the (i) effectiveness of embedding the (IPS)/Peer Support intervention as part of the primary care centre in securing employment of adults living in the downtown eastside in comparison to the usual treatment WorkBC (control group). (ii) effectiveness of IPS/Peer Support versus the usual treatment (WorkBC) in improving mental illness, quality of life and personal recovery through participation in employment.

Detailed Description: This 18-month mixed methods study consists of an effectiveness multi-site randomized controlled trial of the IPS/peer support intervention plus an embedded qualitative exploration of participants' experiences. All clients receiving primary care services from one DTES clinical site who are employment ready and are not receiving mental health services will be randomly assigned to IPS \& Peer Support (experimental group) or WorkBC (control group). Clients are required to participate in the intervention for 16 weeks and will be assessed at baseline, 1-, 3-, and 6-months post study intervention start-date for both groups. Assessments will include the 5 questionnaires administered at baseline which cover the following: Employment Quality, Employment Sustainability, Education Quality and Quantity, Quality of Life, Community Engagement and Clinical significant levels of depression and anxiety.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Adults, age 19 and over, accessing primary care services at the primary care centre listed in this study (CH Pender Community Health Centre)
At least one visit to VCH Pender Community Health Centre
Currently unemployed and not in school or post-secondary training.
Able to provide informed consent and fluent in English (intervention is currently offered in English only).
Not hospitalized at the time of recruitment.

Exclusion Criteria

• Adults, age 19 and over who have access to mental health services

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Adults living in the DTES	IPS/SP	36 out of the 72 recruited participants who live in the DTES will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (IPS \& Peer Support). The IPS and Peer Support will actively work and support with each of the 36 participants in seeking employment and education for 16 weeks. IPS/SP will help participants identify their employment and educational goals, identify potential employers, help prepare their resumes and for interviews, and provide ongoing support during the 16 weeks. 36 out of the 72 participants who live in the DTES will be randomly assigned to the control group (WorkBC). Participants will be provided with WorkBC employment services.
Individuals 19 yrs or older settled in DTES	WorkBC	36 out of the 72 recruited participants who live in the DTES will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (IPS \& Peer Support). The IPS and Peer Support will actively work and support with each of the 36 participants in seeking employment and education for 16 weeks. IPS/SP will help participants identify their employment and educational goals, identify potential employers, help prepare their resumes and for interviews, and provide ongoing support during the 16 weeks. 36 out of the 72 participants who live in the DTES will be randomly assigned to the control group (WorkBC). Participants will be provided with WorkBC employment services.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Securing employment	18 months	RC will follow-up with all recruited clients who get employed through the IPS/Peer Support intervention and the WorkBC control group.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
"C-PROM" questionnaire to measure Personal Recovery	18 months	Participants will answer the questions on this questionnaire using a likert scale. A scoring system will calculate the final total number and we will assess mean change from the baseline. Minimum score is 0/120. Maximum score is 120
"SWL" questionnaire measures satisfaction with life	18 months	Participants will answer the questions on this questionnaire using a likert scale. A scoring system will calculate the final total number and we will assess mean change from the baseline. Minimum score is 5/35. Maximum score is 35.
"PHQ-9" Questionnaire to measures level of depression	18 months	Participants will answer the questions on this questionnaire using a likert scale. A scoring system will calculate the final total number and we will assess mean change from the baseline. The minimum score is 0/27 and the maximum score is 27
"GAD7" questionnaire to measure general anxiety disorder	18 months	Participants will answer the questions on this questionnaire using a likert scale. A scoring system will calculate the final total number and we will assess mean change from the baseline. The minimum score is 0/21. The maximum score is 21.
"REQOL" questionnaire measures Recovery Quality of Life	18 months	Participants will answer the questions on this questionnaire using a likert scale. A scoring system will calculate the final total number and we will assess mean change from the baseline. Minimum score is 0/64. Maximum score 64.

Locations (3): Heatley Community Health Clinic
🇨🇦
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Downtown Community Health Center
🇨🇦
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Pender Community Health Clinic
🇨🇦
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada