A large-scale study in rehabilitative psychotherapy has found that a nationwide subsidized program would have a positive impact on labor market outcomes, such as employment and wage increases.
The research project compared the experiences of those who received rehabilitative psychotherapy supplemented by Kela with those whose applications were rejected due to limited funding.
"We found that applicants with similar background characteristics were not on average six percentage points higher in employment, € 2,100 higher in annual earnings and six percentage points lower. the likelihood of becoming in receipt of an invalidity benefit five years after his first application," the researchers wrote in the results study.
Mental health problems led to the retirement of about 22 people a day in 2020, most recently in 2020, for which up-to-date statistics are available. This is 8,000 people for the whole year, and the trend has been steadily upward in recent years.
A separate report revealed that a total of 5,264,264 working days were lost in Finland last year due to mental health problems, which raised one of the biggest problems in the Finnish labor market.
One possible solution is psychotherapy, but its effectiveness has not yet been extensively studied.
Rehabilitative psychotherapy fulfills many goals
Kela’s rehabilitative psychotherapy support can be applied for by anyone aged 16–67 who feels that their ability to work or study affects a mental disorder.
The application must be accompanied by a treatment history of at least three months and a referral from a psychiatrist recommending the need for treatment.
The majority of those receiving therapy treatment are either at work or studying, but the unemployed and those on a disability pension also have access to care supported by Kela.
Laura PeutereThe postdoctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland and one of the authors of the research article told Yle that the results are clear.
"The goal of Kela’s rehabilitation psychotherapy is to help people enter the labor market. Based on our results, therapy achieves this in many ways," he said.
Research Professor Ari Väänänen A researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health stated that according to the research results, psychotherapy can reduce the number of people retiring from disability.
"More than three out of four disability pensions for people under the age of 35 are due to mental health reasons, which of course incurs high costs." Väänänen said.
The researchers added that the average difference in monthly pay of € 2,100 between those who received treatment and those who were refused was explained by the fact that successful applicants were able to work instead of unemployed and usually work part-time instead of part-time. -time hours.
Conclusion: Therapy support pays for itself
The study did not include a cost-benefit analysis, but the researchers found that the amount of money needed to provide rehabilitative psychotherapy services is less than the cost of workers who are ill or retiring due to mental health problems.
"The average salary of those who receive treatment is higher and savings are made in the payment of disability pensions and unemployment benefits," Peutere said.
Kela pays a subsidy of 57.60 euros per treatment session, while the client pays an average of about 30–45 euros, and the subsidy is available for a maximum of three years.
Peutere further noted that the supported psychotherapy program also has indirect benefits. For example, alleviating mental health problems can reduce the need for other social services and improve labor productivity.
Higher employment and higher incomes may further increase consumption, which will have a positive impact on the economy as a whole.
"In addition, of course, in absolute terms, it is important if people’s perceived well-being improves," Peutere said.
Many still need help except for therapy
Research supports the theory that rehabilitative psychotherapy can benefit the labor market, but should it be the main solution to treating mental health problems?
"Therapy is one approach and one solution, but more is needed," Ari Väänänen from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health said and added that special attention should be paid to the prevention of mental health problems and better support for people.
"All measures that help prevent workers from developing mental health problems are the best," he said.
Peutere noted that while research has shown the benefits of therapy, it remains unclear how effective the program has been and for which groups it has brought the most benefits.
"I would say that Kela’s complementary therapy should at least not be reduced," he said.
However, rehabilitative psychotherapy also has some drawbacks.
For example, it does not apply to anyone who might want to use the service. The goal of Kela-supported psychotherapy is to support people’s ability to cope at work, so children or seniors are not eligible.
Some people may also have difficulty finding support compared to others.
For example, applications for grants from university students are more likely to be accepted.
In addition, there is an acute shortage of psychotherapists, which means that even if an application for support is approved, a successful applicant may not be able to access therapy if no available therapist is available.
Source: The Nordic Page