Effectiveness of Cognitive Remediation in a Supported Education Setting

The George Brown College Redirection Through Education (RTE) is a supported education program, offered at no fee to students, that facilitates entry into formal education and employment for persons with mental illness. In addition to the supports available to all RTE students, this group will receive a total of twenty 45 minute computer-based cognitive exercise sessions held twice a week using COGPACK (Ver 6.0,www.cogpack.de). This program facilitates practice across a range of cognitive functions, including attention,psychomotor speed,memory, and executive functions. Participants will also take part in 10 weekly group discussion sessions,approximately 60 minutes in duration, focusing on strategies for management of symptoms and other cognitive deficits in an academic setting.

Students enroll in credit courses, such as communications, computer skills, and the psychology of human relations which can lead to eligibility for post-secondary programs. Remedial skills in English, supervised study skills classes and other non-credit courses are included. Vocational testing is offered to help students determine their interests and aptitudes and students try out possible careers as well as their readiness to return to work by engaging in volunteer and work placements. Counsellors are also available to assist students in areas such as learning difficulties and coping with the stresses of school. The overarching goal of this program is to help students explore valued non-illness identities, build confidence, and re-engage with their communities.