Professional training in the rehabilitation of people with psychiatric disability

In this paper the impact on young people with psychiatric disability of a p rofessional training and socio-laboral skill program is evaluated as psycho social and illness stabilizing resource elements. Twenty-seven people suffe ring from schizophrenia received professional training (painting) and took part in a social and socio-laboral skills program which lasted 6 months. Wh en the course was finished a better affect could be observed among the part icipants, as well as an increase in their social sk;ills and better managem ent of their disease, in comparison to their baseline measures. Hence, it i s considered that these hinds of programs can contribute, together with the essential social and medical interventions, to a better psychological reha bilitation and to an increased social integration.