The need for employment support for people with severe mental illness is increasing in Japan. The current Japanese system of vocational rehabilitation largely depends on the traditional sheltered-workshop style, which risks separating people with mental illness from the community, thereby impeding their inclusion in society. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment is an alternative vocational program that supports individuals in finding competitive jobs in the community. IPS is an evidence-based practice. Several randomized controlled studies have demonstrated that a significantly higher employment rate can be achieved with the IPS program than with traditional vocational rehabilitation. The IPS program is operated based on 8 principles: 1) focus on competitive employment, 2) eligibility based on client choice, 3) integration of rehabilitation and mental health services, 4) attention to worker preferences, 5) personalized benefits counseling, 6) rapid job search, 7) systematic job development, 8) unlimited time and individualized support. The effectiveness of the IPS program has been reported by several independent studies performed in different countries. By complying with the 8 principles and maintaining a satisfactory IPS fidelity scale score, our IPS program performed in Japan has constantly yielded employment rates around 50%, which is similar to those in USA. The implementation and dissemination of the IPS program in Japan are eagerly awaited to facilitate the recovery and social inclusion of people with severe mental illness, and to combat segregation and stigma.
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