Best Practices in Family Intervention for Serious Mental Illness

Support And Family Education (SAFE) Program: Mental Health Facts for Families

Manual Title	Support And Family Education (SAFE) Program: Mental Health Facts for Families
Creator	Michelle Sherman, Ph.D.
Reference	Sherman, M.D. (2003). Support And Family Education (SAFE) Program: Mental Health Facts for Families. Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. 2nd edition.
Price	free
Contact Information:	Michelle Sherman, Ph.D. Oklahoma City VA Medical Center 921 NE 13^th Street(116A) Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405) 270-5171 Email: Michelle.Sherman@med.va.gov

Program Overview:

Theoretical Orientation:

Educational, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems

Format:
This 18-session curriculum of monthly workshops for adult family members / friends was created in a VA system and is applicable to all severe mental illnesses. In contrast with most family programs, the SAFE program includes a specific session on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).PTSD is common in the veteran population, and is a common co-morbid disorder in other severe mental illnesses. Although trauma histories in psychiatric patients are often overlooked, a direct examination of PTSD issues is important because these patients tend to have more severe symptoms, a greater risk of substance abuse, and more costly psychiatric services (Goodman et al, 1998).

The SAFE Program also includes content areas that are commonly neglected in other family psychoeducation programs (Pollio, North & Foster, 1998), namely dealing with noncompliance,coping with problematic behaviors (e.g., anger or violence), and dealing with stigma.

Goals:

To teach caregivers about the symptoms and course of mental illness
To afford family members the opportunity to ask questions about psychiatric disorders and treatment options
To reduce the stigma of mental illness by providing a forum in which to discuss concerns and obtain support from peers
To publicize the availability of mental health services at the medical center
To help family members understand the importance of early intervention for their loved one, as well as open, timely communication with providers
To link family members with opportunities for support both at the VA and in the community (including the local NAMI affiliate).

Session Topics:
Each session contains ready-to-present didactic text, suggested group activities, relevant videos,and handouts. Each session can stand alone (they do not build on one another). Session titles include:

What causes mental illness?
What can I do when my family member is depressed?
What can I do when my family member is angry or violent?
Communication tips with family members
Limit setting and boundaries with family members
How can I take care of myself as a caregiver?
Rights and responsibilities of patients, family members, and professionals
What do we tell our children and other people about mental illness?
Stress-busting tips for family members
What to do when your help is turned away
Do's and don'ts in helping your family member
Tips to help make the holiday season pleasant
P.T.S.D. and its impact on the family
Schizophrenia and its impact on the family
Creating a low-stress environment
Common family reactions to mental illness
Problem-solving skills for families
Coping with stigma

Session Outline:

Each session has three sections:

Check-in
Didactic presentation and group discussion
Question and answer time with psychiatrist

Frequency/ Duration:
90-minute sessions are provided by a mental health professional on an ongoing, monthly basis. Caregivers may attend whenever they wish. No reservations or commitments are required. Some caregivers attend every month for many years, whereas others attend when the topic is of interest and/or their schedules permit.

Research:

Sherman (2003):
Three-year treatment outcome data of participants reveals:

Increased knowledge of mental illness
Increased awareness of VA resources
Improved ability to engage in self-care

Data on patient variables (e.g.,relapse rates, medication compliance) are still being collected.

No research with a control group to date.

Note Above description reviewed and approved by Dr. Sherman, 10-30-03

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