Family Education & Support

Family Education & Support (FES) involves a strong partnership between participants, their families and the clinical team. Through relationship-building and alliance, education, collaboration, problem-solving and an atmosphere of hope and partnership, FES helps participants and their families to:

• Learn what they need to know about mental illness
• Master new ways to manage mental illness
• Reduce tension and stress in the family
• Provide social support and encouragement
• Focus on the future (instead of the past)
• Find ways for families and supporters to help consumers in their recovery

FES fosters feelings of respect, trust, hope and empowerment among everyone involved in the treatment process, so a true partnership can be formed. People work toward recovery by developing better skills for overcoming everyday problems and illness-related issues, developing social support and improving communication with treatment providers. The result is that participants visibly have fewer symptoms, higher success with employment and improved family relationships, while families experience markedly lower stress and medical illness.