REACT
Relatives’ Education and Coping Toolkit
Approximately 1 in 100 people will experience severe mental health problems. This most commonly starts in adolescence and the majority will be living at home with families. This can be very frightening time for relatives who often have little knowledge of what is happening or how to manage it. The NHS has commitment to support relatives in order to reduce their distress, but also because research studies have shown that this can lead to a better outcome for patients as well. Unfortunately, many relatives do not get the kind of support they need. This is often because of lack of appropriate resources in local services.
The aim of this study is to develop a self-help package that relatives can use at their convenience with low level support from the NHS. Different sections of the package were developed using evidence from previous research and the views and opinions of relatives. A trial version of the completed package is now being finalised whilst NHS support workers are being trained in how to use it.
We are currently recruiting relatives of people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis and have less 12 months of being involved with the Early Intervention Service in Cumbria NHS Partnership Trust, Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust. Relatives should be over the age of 18 and have a good understanding of written English.
If you would like to be involved in this project or would like further information please contact Laura Wainwright on: 07507 856933 or laura.wainwright@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
Page updated : Sep/2010
