SERVICES FOR SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES - WHAT THEY SAY THEY NEED

The effects of education and stress reduction groups for the relatives of schizophrenic patients and their perception of services available to them is presented. 76% of relatives refused invitation to groups be cause they were overburdened. Those attending the groups said that the y found them beneficial but measurable improvements were slight. Relat ives' perception of the shortfalls of the services and the difficultie s faced differed from that of patients. As the majority of patients tu rn to their relatives for help and support, rather than approaching ho spital services directly, relatives were better able to identify servi ce shortfalls. Patients' perceived needs included employment and incre ased income, which are not amenable to direct hospital intervention. R elatives were able to express needs that could be addressed by service s. Both patients and relatives were able to identify the main difficul ties faced, though there was a difference in emphasis.