[Young patients with severe mental illness returning to school: results of a pilot project conducted in Montreal].

Schizophrenia generally appears at the beginning of adult life at a time when individuals have important academic choices to make for their professional future. Patients with schizophrenia suffer from cognitive deficits as well as positive and negative symptoms and experience disorganization. Schizophrenia is responsible for a high level of failure in obtaining a high school diploma, an important cause of social exclusion and low economic status. Twenty-seven students with severe mental health have been integrated in an educational program implemented in Montreal. Preliminary results indicate efficiency of the program with many students succeeding ministerial test. However, it is suggested that a ratio of 1/10 professor/students would be preferable in such special education class.