Enlisting indigenous community supporters in skills training programs for persons with severe mental illness

Objective: This study evaluated the generalization of skills training for s everely and persistently mentally ill individuals who were paired with indi genous supporters. The supporters monitored the individuals' environments a nd prompted them to use their skills, Methods: A total of 85 individuals wi th severe and persistent mental illness received six months of skills train ing. Forty-five of the participants received support from an individual of their choosing. The other 40 participants did not have supporters. At the e nd of the six-month skills training period, the supporters' participation w as officially terminated, although they were encouraged to remain in their role for as long as both parties felt comfortable, The effects of the suppo rt were measured in terms of interpersonal functioning, acquisition and ret ention of the skills, psychopathology, global functioning, and satisfaction , Several process measures were also collected. Results: The support proced ures were evaluated favorably by both patients and supporters. The interper sonal functioning of the group with supporters was found to be significantl y better than that of the nonsupported group at six- and 12-month follow-up s. No differences were found between the groups in symptoms-which were mini mal during the entire training period-or skins learning and retention, Conc lusions: The effects of support are likely applicable for a variety of indi viduals, supporters, and facilities. Indirect evidence suggested the import ance of providing support for the supporters.