Journey of Hope program outcomes.

Families of persons with mental illness often benefit from participating in interventions which provide education and support. The present study describes outcomes reported by 424 families who participated in one such intervention, the Journey of Hope (JOH) program. Hierarchical regression analyses found that program outcomes-increased knowledge of the causes and treatment of mental illness, increased understanding of the mental health service system, and improved morale-were predictive of one another. JOH therefore may provide families with the knowledge and support they need to strengthen their ability to cope with their relative's mental illness.