Tuesday, May 11, 2004

New research on support for family caregivers of people with serious mental illness
Item in CMHA-Ontario's Mental Health Notes - "Two recent studies looked at the challenges of developing new education and support services for family caregivers of people with serious mental illness, and the benefits of and barriers to participating in family support groups. An American study published in the Community Mental Health Journal looked at the factors that help or hinder lower-income African-American and Caucasian family caregivers in accessing support groups. The study compared 65 caregivers who were current members of a support group with 80 family members who were aware of support groups but who had never attended them. ... The second study, which took place in London, England, examined a brief intervention service offered to caregivers, most often family members, of people experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The service was designed to address caregivers’ complaints about the lack of information and support they received from psychiatric services..."