OBJECTIVE: To examine barriers and facilitators influencing self-direction of return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. PARTICIPANTS: Five individuals who had attempted return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. METHODS: In depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with the five participants selected through purposive sampling. RESULTS: The three main themes related to the workers' self-direction of their return to work experience were (a) worker self-management, (b) workers' 'personal' partnerships and (c) workplace partnerships. CONCLUSION: Personal and workplace partnerships are integral to supporting workers as they take ownership of their full potential and self-direct return to mainstream work.
OBJECTIVE: To examine barriers and facilitators influencing self-direction of return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. PARTICIPANTS: Five individuals who had attempted return to mainstream work following acute mental illness. METHODS: In depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with the five participants selected through purposive sampling. RESULTS: The three main themes related to the workers' self-direction of their return to work experience were (a) worker self-management, (b) workers' 'personal' partnerships and (c) workplace partnerships. CONCLUSION: Personal and workplace partnerships are integral to supporting workers as they take ownership of their full potential and self-direct return to mainstream work.