Outcomes of postsecondary supported education programs for people with psychiatric disabilities

Supported education programs provide support and services so people with a major mental illness can begin or continue postsecondary education. 124 students from three supported education sites were surveyed for five semesters to assess demographic and service utilization information, education and employment outcomes, predictors of school completion and job/education fit. The study showed that students completed 90% of their college course work and achieved an average grade point of 3.14. Increases were noted in the number of students living independently. Type of psychiatric diagnosis was not a predictor of school completion but having one's own car and number of psychiatric hospitalizations prior to program participation were predictors. The school retention rate was comparable to the general population of part-time students; employment rates (42%) during the study were lower than the population of other part-time students but higher than the population of people with mental illness generally. There were no significant changes in either quality of life or self-esteem. Students reported a job/education fit of 50%.