Nikitha Harish1, Aarti Jagannathan2, Chennaveeraachari Naveen Kumar3, Jagadisha Thirthalli3, Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi3, Devvarta Kumar4, Poornima Bhola4, Krishna Prasad Muliyala3, Sivakumar Thanapal3, G Radhakrishnan5, Hareesh Angothu3, Deepak Jayarajan3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India. Electronic address: nikitha.harishhd@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India. 3. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India. 4. Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India. 5. Department of Nursing, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the vocational potential assessment tool and counselling module for persons with severe mental disorders (SMD). METHOD: The tool and the module were developed through review of existing assessment tools, individual interviews and focused group discussions with key stake holders- persons with SMD, caregivers, expert mental health professionals and employers. The developed tool and module were validated by experts. RESULT: The process of tool and module development was conducted simultaneously and included 11 persons with SMD, 9 caregivers, 9 experts and 9 employers. A total of 38 themes were obtained through individual interviews and focused group discussions. The developed tool and module along with a scoring key were validated by 6 mental health experts. CONCLUSION: The tool is easy to use and comprehensive, takes approximately 45 min to 1 h for assessment. The module provides a framework for vocational counselling. The scoring key provides a guideline for professionals during assessment.
OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the vocational potential assessment tool and counselling module for persons with severe mental disorders (SMD). METHOD: The tool and the module were developed through review of existing assessment tools, individual interviews and focused group discussions with key stake holders- persons with SMD, caregivers, expert mental health professionals and employers. The developed tool and module were validated by experts. RESULT: The process of tool and module development was conducted simultaneously and included 11 persons with SMD, 9 caregivers, 9 experts and 9 employers. A total of 38 themes were obtained through individual interviews and focused group discussions. The developed tool and module along with a scoring key were validated by 6 mental health experts. CONCLUSION: The tool is easy to use and comprehensive, takes approximately 45 min to 1 h for assessment. The module provides a framework for vocational counselling. The scoring key provides a guideline for professionals during assessment.