Family psychoeducation is a method of working in partnership with families to help them develop increasingly sophisticated and useful coping skills for handling problems posed by mental illness in their family and skills for supporting the recovery of their loved one. It respects and incorporates their individual, family, and cultural realities and points of view.

WHO IS FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION FOR?

Family members of people diagnosed with the more severe forms of mental illness benefit the most from this treatment approach.

·        Bipolar Disorder

·        Schizophrenia

·        Schizoaffective Disorder

·        Major Depression

·        Borderline Personality Disorder

FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION INVOLVES:

•  Joining with consumers and their families

• Education about the illness and useful coping skills

• Problem-solving strategies for difficulties caused by illness

• Creating an optimal environment for recovery from mental illness

• Creating social and support groups

WHY PROVIDE FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION?

•  To reduce confusion and stress among family members, by informing and supporting their efforts to support the recovery of their loved one.

•  To coordinate all elements of treatment and supportive services to ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals in a collaborative relationship.

•  To listen to families and treat them as equal partners.

•  To explore family members' expectations and assess a family's strengths and limitations in supporting recovery.

•  To help resolve family conflict through sensitive response to emotional distress.

•  To address feelings of loss among family members and consumers.

•  To provide relevant information for consumers and families about mental illness and treatments that support recovery.

•  To provide training for the family in structured problem-solving techniques.

•  To encourage the family to expand their social support networks.

• To be flexible in meeting the needs of the family.