A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Psycho Education on Family Burden among the Family Members of Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

Mental health is vital for individuals, families and communities; also it is more than simply the absence of a mental disorder. Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’. According to National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) there are 1 in 20 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia in India. In addition to the person directly experiencing by a mental illness, the family, friends and communities are also affected. In India 4.3 to 8.7 million people were affected by Schizophrenia. 50% of mental health conditions begin by the age of 14 and 75% of mental health conditions develop by the age of 24. Schizophrenia is a common and serious neurologic illness that affects 1% of people globally and approximately 2.5 million Americans (National Institute of Mental Health, 2006). Nowadays, there is evidence suggesting that the course of the schizophrenic disorder is highly associated with patient psychosocial factors and home atmosphere (Urizar, et al., 2014). The family members are significantly distressed by the fact of having one of their members suffering from schizophrenia. Mental Illness attached to stigma in families is still frequent and can contribute to social isolation (Martensant and Ton A., 2001). Family members often play a vital role in the lives of individuals with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, as an estimated 30% to 65% of adults with serious mental illnesses live with family members. Schizophrenia is ranked fourth worldwide in terms of burden and illness (WHO).