A SERVICE FOR WOMEN WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

A program for nomen with schizophrenia that combines inpatient, outpat ient, and outreach services is described. The program was established at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in 1995, Services include a comprehensive patient and family assessment, with subsequent recommendations to the treating clinician about differ ential diagnosis, psychopharmacologic and psychosocial treatments, and patient management during pregnancy and early parenthood. Other compo nents of the program are home-based outreach sen ices, substance abuse counseling, instruction of new mothers and parenting; training, sex e ducation, relationship-focused groups, and self-protection in an urban environment to pr-event victimization. The clinic has established lia isons with pediatricians and gynecologists in the community to provide care to clinic patients. Linkages have also been established with age ncies and facilities to fill gaps in the service spectrum, such as fit ness programs and leisure activities and children's aid and protection .