Sreekanth Nair Thekkumkara1, Aarti Jagannathan2, Prabhu Jadhav3, Sumit Kumar Durgoji4, Krishna Prasad Muliyala5, Hareesh Angothu6, Venkata Senthil Kumar Reddi7. 1. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: sreekanthnairgck@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: jaganaarti@gmail.com. 3. Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: drprabhujadhav14@gmail.com. 4. District Mental Health Programme, Belagum, 590001, India. Electronic address: sumit.durgoji@gmail.com. 5. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: krishnadoc2004@gmail.com. 6. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: hareesh.angothu@gmail.com. 7. Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India. Electronic address: senthilreddi@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In India, people live in a collective society wherein family members are the primary caregivers for the person suffering from mental illness (PMI). Psychiatric rehabilitative models are individual-centric, focusing on individual level skills (emotional, social, self-management and vocational) and development to enhance successful community reintegration. If the entire family is considered to be a unit for rehabilitation, i.e. family centric rehabilitation, the possibility of empowering the family to function effectively is higher despite the illness. The objective of the case study is to conceptualize the framework 'Family centric Rehabilitation'. METHODS: Case study design. RESULTS: Family centric rehabilitation can be conceptualized as 'a process that facilitates families, dysfunctional due to PMI, to reach their optimal level of independent functioning by harnessing resources available within the community'. Family centric rehabilitation focuses on enhancing global functioning of the "family unit", in essence all members, rather than just the PMI. Strategies deployed include concurrently addressing and minimizing anticipated challenges across domains including medical, psychosocial, vocational as well as economic, thereby aiding in recovery of the family unit as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Family centric rehabilitation is an important culture specific concept that aims to provide optimal level of functioning of all family members and can contribute to the family achieving self-sustenance, a sense of autonomy and empowerment.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In India, people live in a collective society wherein family members are the primary caregivers for the person suffering from mental illness (PMI). Psychiatric rehabilitative models are individual-centric, focusing on individual level skills (emotional, social, self-management and vocational) and development to enhance successful community reintegration. If the entire family is considered to be a unit for rehabilitation, i.e. family centric rehabilitation, the possibility of empowering the family to function effectively is higher despite the illness. The objective of the case study is to conceptualize the framework 'Family centric Rehabilitation'. METHODS: Case study design. RESULTS: Family centric rehabilitation can be conceptualized as 'a process that facilitates families, dysfunctional due to PMI, to reach their optimal level of independent functioning by harnessing resources available within the community'. Family centric rehabilitation focuses on enhancing global functioning of the "family unit", in essence all members, rather than just the PMI. Strategies deployed include concurrently addressing and minimizing anticipated challenges across domains including medical, psychosocial, vocational as well as economic, thereby aiding in recovery of the family unit as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Family centric rehabilitation is an important culture specific concept that aims to provide optimal level of functioning of all family members and can contribute to the family achieving self-sustenance, a sense of autonomy and empowerment.