Integrated Mental Health Care and Vocational Rehabilitation to People With to Common Mental Disorders

Background: Mental illness has an estimated financial burden on the Danish economy of 3.4 % of Gross National Product every year due to lost productivity, social benefits and healthcare costs and approximately 50 % of people receiving long-term sickness benefits have a common mental illness. Furthermore, a significant treatment gap exists where less than 30% were treated for their mental illness. Objective: The primary objective of the randomized trial is to examine whether people on sick leave with a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, stress, personality disorders or functional disorders, return to work faster and have a higher job retention if they receive an integrated and optimized vocational rehabilitation and mental health care intervention, compared to people who receive the standard mental health care and vocational rehabilitation service. Method: The trial is designed as an randomized, two-group parallel, assessor-blinded, multisite trial. A total of 800 participants with a common mental illness will randomly be assigned into two groups 1) IBBIS II, consisting of an integrated mental health care and vocational rehabilitation; or 2) Service as usual, at two sites in Denmark. The primary outcome is difference between the two groups in time to return to work at 12 months. Results/discussion: This study will contribute with new knowledge on vocational recovery and integrated vocational and health care interventions in a Scandinavian context.