Stigma and public health policy for schizophrenia

Few families seem to be preparing adequately for the future with respect to financial planning or caregiving responsibilities. The consequences of schizophrenia on siblings and sibling relationships can be significant. Exploring how the chaos and confusion that typically accompanies the onset of the illness may have adversely affected family members and family relationships can offer an opportunity to build proactive partnerships toward future planning for continuity of care for the mentally ill. The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan facilitates family involvement in fostering a sibling support strategy focused on the specific issues faced by siblings of people with schizophrenia. Support groups and the provision of concrete family financial and caregiving planning are tangible ways siblings can prepare better for the future. Strengthening lobbying capacities is also important to advocate partnerships between integrative community-based, client-centered services and family members of the severely mentally ill.