[Partnership experiences of Japanese family]

I belong to the Mental Health and Welfare Association of Chiba Prefecture in which the professionals and the families of the consumers work as partners. This association is a member of the Chiba Federation of Family Associations. It is made up of 34 local association members. I believe that families should be able to look at their situation with positive attitudes. For that, education for family members, especially for fathers is essential. I myself could only change my attitude and behaviors toward my son with the help of social skills training for families. Now we have much better relationships and enjoy our family life together. Right now I am promoting among the family associations a program in which the family could learn about the illness and how to communicate and solve problems that happen from the situation of living with the mentally ill person. We hope psychiatrists and other mental health professionals will have more interest in rehabilitation and support us in our daily lives. In order to build up a trustworthy system of support for the consumers even after we passed away, we as family members want to play an active role and to work more closely with lawyers, social workers, and volunteer citizens.