Educational needs of families of mentally ill adults.

A total of 197 family members of mentally ill adults in Indiana responded to a survey about their preferences for family psychoeducation programs, including type of information, format, presenter, frequency and length of educational programs, setting, and cost. The findings of the survey, which was sent only to persons who were not members of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, indicated that family members throughout the state have consistent and persistent needs and clear preferences about educational programs. Of 11 educational topics listed, family members expressed the least interest in learning about their relative's substance abuse. They were ambivalent about whether to include patients in family education programs, but they clearly supported patient education.