[The need for work--experiences from a day-care center].

The concept of a vocational day-care centre for persons with chronic mental illness is discussed. Work is done with clay, which enables a supply with both very simple and very sophisticated tasks. Clients are able to clearly realize the results of their joint efforts. Analysis of attendance at the centre reveals that especially those who had spent longer periods of time in psychiatric hospital and are already receiving a disability pension came to work most regularly. These findings show that even for those who have definitely withdrawn from gainful employment, individually adapted work opportunities nevertheless remain of considerable importance.