Family Psychoeducation

Mental illness not only affects the individual, but it affects the entire family. Families are often the primary caregivers to a family member with mental illness, caring for that member can be a strain and a burden. The events leading up to the individual’s diagnosis alone, can be traumatizing for the family of that individual. When a diagnosis is made, the family can experience a sense of sorrow, and extreme loss. Suddenly they are in a position of having to care for their family member, while often lacking the knowledge of the mental illness. It can be emotionally and financially stressful, with many disruptions within the family, adding strain on the family. Providing support to families caring for family members with severe or persistent

It is acknowledged that when families are involved, it is beneficial to rehabilitation and recovery (Cohen, Glynn, Murray-Swank, Barrio, Fischer, Perlick, Rotondi, Sayers, Sherman, & Dixon, 2008). Family Psychoeducation (FPE) is an evidence-based practice, that is designed to involve and educate family members in assisting their loved one with their rehabilitation and recovery (Lucksted, et al., 2012). It is recommended that family who have continuous contact with their family member with SPMI, take family psychoeducation (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). The program goes for at least nine months, and provides education, family support, crisis intervention and problem-solving skills (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). It can be done in a single-family or multi-family setting (Drapalski, Leith, & Dixon, 2009). The goal is to work with family members in attaining the best outcome for their loved one with SPMI (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). Several studies have found when families participated in FPE program for at least nine months, it can reduce the relapse and rehospitalization of their relative up to 50% (Drapalski, et al., 2009). There are also studies that have found that FPE leads to the decrease in negative symptoms, and improved social functioning for the individual with SPMI (Drapalski, et al., 2009). Family psychoeducation has also been found to reduce subjective burden for family

If there is low participation, it could be due to services not being flexible or meeting the family needs (Drapalski, et al., 2008). The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a Family-to-Family program, that also offers education and support for families. However, their programs are provided by peer volunteers, who are not paid (Cohen, et al., 2008). This may concern some who might feel that a program provided by peers is not as a valid program. Regardless of what program a family chooses, it should be a program that is tailored to meet the family and consumer