Psychoeducation in mental health

Psychoeducation in Mental Health

Introduction:

The term psychoeducation describes a range of individual, family, and group interventions that are focused on educating participants about a significant challenge in living, helping participants develop social and resource supports in managing the challenges of mental illness.  Psychoeducation is an effective, adaptable intervention for helping individuals and their families develop knowledge of and coping skills for a variety of problems and challenges in living. 

Objectives:

Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:

· understand the definition of psychoeducation and and its applications

· identify the various forms of psychoeducation

· identify the goals of psychoeducation

· understand the benefits of psychoeducation in mental health and how it benefits individuals and their families

Topic 2. Psychoeducation in Mental Health

Patient Education

Patient empowerment is critical for the successful management of any chronic disease and the cornerstone of empowerment is knowledge.  Education must be tailored to the patient’s unique learning style and be geared to the patient’s ability to engage in the process.  Information may be broken down to into parts and shared over time, across multiple sessions.  There are some clear points that should be part of any teaching plan, and they are identified as the following:

Patient Education Points

· Diagnosis

· Establishment of a mental health illness/disorder                                                                                                              

· Review of any common myths or incorrect beliefs about the illness/disorder

· Explanation of the common symptoms, attention to the patient’s unique symptoms

· Identification of “early warning signs” and a response plan to address these sigs

· Strategies to deal with symptoms

· Medication education

· Cautions to consider from the medications

· Impact of substance use on symptoms, prognosis, and medication effects

· Importance of support systems and education (example- expectations)

· Resources/supports

What is Psychoeducation?              

Psychoeducation is a psychosocial treatment that has been well documented as an adjunct to pharmacological therapy. The term psychoeducation comprises systemic, didactic-psychotherapeutic interventions, which are adequate for informing patients and their relatives about the illness and its treatment, facilitating both an understanding and personally responsible handling of the illness and supporting those afflicted in coping with the disorder. The roots of psychoeducation are to be found in behavioral therapy, although current conceptions also include elements of client-centered t