Online Soft Skills Training for Mental Health Conditions

(iCareer Trial)

Overseen by Weili Lu, PhD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Neurological disease, Brain injury, Psychiatric instability, Alcohol dependence, Substance dependence, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online program that helps young people with mental health conditions develop job-related social and emotional skills. It aims to improve their ability to find and keep jobs by teaching them how to interact well with others and solve problems, while also providing mental health support.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment iCareer Soft Skills Training for Employment for mental health conditions?

Research shows that social skills training can improve social competence and job retention for individuals with mental health conditions, suggesting that similar online soft skills training could be effective in enhancing employment outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is online soft skills training safe for people with mental health conditions?

The research does not provide specific safety data for online soft skills training, but similar skills training methods have been used safely in psychiatric rehabilitation to improve social competence and coping skills. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

How is the iCareer Soft Skills Training for Employment treatment different from other treatments for mental health conditions?

The iCareer Soft Skills Training for Employment is unique because it focuses on improving work-related soft skills through an online platform, specifically designed to help individuals with mental health conditions gain employment. Unlike traditional treatments that may focus on symptom management, this program aims to enhance job interview skills and confidence, providing a practical approach to reducing unemployment among those with mental health challenges. ^{8 9 10 11 12}

Research Team

Weili Lu, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers University, School of Health Professions

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people aged 16-24 with mental health conditions who want to improve their job-related social skills. They must speak English, have been part of a special education program or received disability services recently, and not have had recent hospitalizations or suicide attempts.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 16 and 24 years old.

Must speak English fluently

I have been receiving special education or disability services for a psychiatric disability in the last 2 years.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a neurological condition or brain injury.

Psychiatric instability such as gross psychosis or acute suicidality

Current alcohol or substance dependence

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Soft Skills Training Intervention via telehealth

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment outcomes and mental health improvements

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• iCareer Soft Skills Training for Employment (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests an online soft-skills training program called iCareer, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy elements. It aims to help these youths get better at finding and keeping jobs as they move into adulthood.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Soft Skills Training Intervention via telehealth

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Dr. Jonathan Holloway

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

PhD in History from Yale University

Dr. Brian Strom

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Chief Medical Officer since 2014

MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Findings from Research

Social skills training is an effective strategy for improving the social competence of patients with schizophrenia and other major mental disorders, helping to reduce relapses and enhance psychosocial functioning.

Training models, such as the 'basic' model with role playing and feedback, and the 'problem-solving' model that focuses on processing social messages, are essential components of a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes ongoing support and appropriate medication.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training skills in the psychiatrically disabled: learning coping and competence. Liberman, RP., Mueser, KT., Wallace, CJ., et al.[2019]

Individual placement and support (IPS) services significantly help individuals with serious mental illness secure jobs in the competitive sector, leading to increased work hours and higher income compared to traditional vocational rehabilitation methods.

The introduction of a workplace fundamental skills module, designed to enhance job retention by teaching essential social and workplace skills, is being evaluated for its effectiveness in improving job tenure alongside IPS services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplementing supported employment with workplace skills training. Wallace, CJ., Tauber, R.[2019]

A blended social skills training (SST) program, combining face-to-face sessions and online modules, was found to be feasible in an inpatient psychiatric setting, with 100% of participants recommending it to others.

While the training showed a non-significant medium-sized effect on improving social skills (Cohen's d = 0.5), the study highlights the need for more research on blended care approaches in psychiatric settings, given the limited existing evidence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blended Care in In-Patient Acute Psychiatric Care. The Example of a Group Training for Social Competences in Adults-A Pretest-Posttest Feasibility Study. Bendig, E., Küchler, AM., Baumeister, H., et al.[2021]

After eight months of interactive staff training involving 35 staff members in psychiatric residential programs, there was a significant improvement in attitudes towards behavioral interventions for clients with severe mental illness.

The training also led to increased perceptions of collegial support among staff and reduced emotional exhaustion among direct care staff, suggesting that such training can enhance the implementation of behavioral strategies in mental health settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Staff training to improve implementation and impact of behavioral rehabilitation programs. Corrigan, PW., McCracken, SG., Edwards, M., et al.[2006]

The workforce development program effectively improved the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individuals with psychiatric and/or substance use disorders, enhancing their employability in the behavioral health system.

Participants' self-assessments of their improvements were corroborated by supervisor ratings three months into their employment, indicating the program's efficacy in preparing trainees for the workforce.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of the constructs, curriculum and training data from a workforce development program for recovery support specialists. Stoneking, BC., McGuffin, BA.[2019]

The STORM training initiative, implemented over 6 months in three mental health services, was found to be feasible and acceptable, leading to positive changes in attitudes and confidence among 458 staff members regarding suicide risk management.

While the training did not replicate previous findings of skill acquisition, qualitative interviews indicated that it positively impacted clinical practice, especially for less experienced staff, highlighting the need for ongoing support and supervision to reinforce these skills in the workplace.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating STORM skills training for managing people at risk of suicide. Gask, L., Dixon, C., Morriss, R., et al.[2022]

A 48-hour training series for supervisory and direct care staff in supported housing settings significantly improved their knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles, as shown by pre- and posttest results.

The study supports the effectiveness of work-based learning approaches in enhancing the skills and knowledge of staff involved in psychiatric rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing Psychiatric Rehabilitation Knowledge in a Supported Housing Setting: Pre- and Posttest Analysis. Zazzarino, A., Reilly, A., Clay, Z.[2019]

The HeadCoach online training program significantly increased managers' confidence and improved their responsive and preventive behaviors related to mental health in the workplace, based on a cluster randomized controlled trial with 210 managers.

While the training showed positive effects on managerial practices, it did not lead to a measurable change in the psychological distress of the direct reports, indicating that further research is needed to assess the broader impact on employee well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate HeadCoach: An Online Mental Health Training Program for Workplace Managers. Gayed, A., Bryan, BT., LaMontagne, AD., et al.[2020]

The WorkplaceAid study involving 608 Australian public servants found that both eLearning and blended Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses significantly improved knowledge and reduced stigma related to depression and PTSD compared to a control course.

While the blended MHFA course showed slightly better satisfaction ratings and perceived usefulness, both training formats were similarly effective in enhancing participants' confidence and intentions to help individuals with mental health issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of eLearning and blended modes of delivery of Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace: randomised controlled trial. Reavley, NJ., Morgan, AJ., Fischer, JA., et al.[2020]

The Job Interview Training System with Molly Porter significantly improved interview skills and confidence among 96 unemployed adults with serious mental illnesses, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD, as demonstrated in a randomized control trial.

Participants using the training system scored better in role-play interviews and reported higher self-assessment scores compared to a control group, suggesting that this innovative approach could help reduce unemployment duration for individuals with mental health challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Simulated job interview improves skills for adults with serious mental illnesses. Humm, LB., Olsen, D., Be, M., et al.[2021]

A survey of 18 UK Clinical Psychology Doctoral training programs revealed that while there is a strong recognition of the importance of digital mental health competencies, these skills are not being adequately integrated into training or clinical placements.

The study identified key barriers to developing digital skills, including the need for practice guidelines and more opportunities for hands-on digital mental health experience, highlighting the necessity for a structured competence framework in the curriculum.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Workforce challenges in digital health implementation: How are clinical psychology training programmes developing digital competences? Pote, H., Rees, A., Holloway-Biddle, C., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training skills in the psychiatrically disabled: learning coping and competence. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplementing supported employment with workplace skills training. [2019]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blended Care in In-Patient Acute Psychiatric Care. The Example of a Group Training for Social Competences in Adults-A Pretest-Posttest Feasibility Study. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Staff training to improve implementation and impact of behavioral rehabilitation programs. [2006]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of the constructs, curriculum and training data from a workforce development program for recovery support specialists. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating STORM skills training for managing people at risk of suicide. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing Psychiatric Rehabilitation Knowledge in a Supported Housing Setting: Pre- and Posttest Analysis. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate HeadCoach: An Online Mental Health Training Program for Workplace Managers. [2020]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of eLearning and blended modes of delivery of Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace: randomised controlled trial. [2020]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Simulated job interview improves skills for adults with serious mental illnesses. [2021]

11. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the Feasibility of an Innovative Self-Confidence Webinar Intervention for Depression in the Workplace: A Proof-of-Concept Study. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Workforce challenges in digital health implementation: How are clinical psychology training programmes developing digital competences? [2022]