Living with mental illness: the family as caregiver.

1. Families of persons with severe mental illness are often anguished because of stressors and are unprepared to be caregivers. Their needs must be addressed by mental health professionals. 2. Family members may experience grief, guilt, anger, powerlessness, and fear. 3. Education and peer groups may be most helpful to family members in dealing with their distress and becoming better prepared caregivers.