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Caring for the persons with first episode psychosis is challenging and demanding. It may lead to the increased burden, expressed emotions among the caregivers. The numerous studies have shown that high burden and negative expressed emotions among caregivers can lead to early relapse in the patients with first episode psychosis. To evaluate the effects of the brief psychoeducation on the caregivers burden and expressed emotions. A quasi experimental - before and after with control group research design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 caregivers have participated in the study, of which 30 caregivers in experimental group and 30 caregivers in the control group. Family Burden Interview Schedule (Pai and Kapoor, 1981) and Attitude Questionnaire (Sethi et al., 1981) was used to assess caregiver's burden and expressed emotions. At end of the psychoeducation intervention, burden among caregivers and negative expressed emotions of the caregivers have significantly reduced. The positive expressed emotions have been increased. Study results demonstrates the importance of psychoeducation intervention in reducing the burden and negative expressed emotions.

Background: The people who experience psychotic symptoms first time can be frightening for them and their close family members. It is crucial to provide family support and care to persons with first episode psychosis. Aim: To assess the needs of family members presenting to a tertiary care centre. Methods: Cross-sectional outpatient based study design was adapted to collect data from the family members of persons with first episode psychosis presented to a tertiary care centre. Total 60 family members were randomly selected for the study and assessed for the burden, attitude, ways of coping and quality of life. Results: Study results indicate the high burden; it has noted that high negative expressed emotions among family members. Negative coping styles were also found and the family members and having a poor quality of life. Conclusion: First episode of psychosis can traumatizing to the patients and their family members. Family members can experience the burden of caregiving including financial burden, can have faulty ways of coping and negative expressed emotions towards their own wards having psychosis which can lead to poor treatment outcome. Findings indicated that need to provide psychosocial intervention for family members of persons with first episode psychosis. Keyword: Family, psychosocial intervention, needs, first episode psychosis, expressed emotions, burden

Background: Alcohol dependence is a complex behaviour with far-reaching harmful effects on the family, work, society, as well as on the physical and mental health of the individual. Epidemiological studies conducted in India showed that 20-30% of our population is using alcohol at a harmful level. Mental health professionals provide support and understanding of the illness for the affected individual and family members. They work together on planning treatment; provide mutual support and understanding of the disorder. Aim: To study the effects of strength based supportive therapy on family functioning and coping of persons with alcohol dependence syndrome. Methodology: This was a hospital based intervention study. It had adopted the quasi-experimental before and after with control group research design. Participants were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. 10 persons with alcohol dependence syndrome were selected for the study  five each person with alcohol dependence syndrome and their family members were assigned in the control group (treatment as usual group; TAU) and five persons with alcohol dependence syndrome and their family members were assigned in the experimental group (treatment as usual positive family intervention group). Family functioning was assessed through McMaster family assessment device Patients were assessed through brief cope. Result: The study results indicated a significant improvement in various domains of family functioning in experimental group participants compared to the treatment as usual group. It has also noted improvement in coping among patients. Conclusion: strength based supportive intervention useful for the caregivers as well as it also helps in improving coping among person with alcohol dependence syndrome.

Farmers’ suicides in India, exemplifying the agrarian crisis, have been a contemporary cause of grave concern. The Vidarbha Psychosocial Support and Care Program (VPSCP) in western India is an example of a psychosocial intervention being implemented to address the psychological consequences of adverse circumstances triggered by the agrarian distress of farmers through a multi-pronged strategy of delivery of mental health care services to those in need dovetailed with livelihood/employment support schemes. This article, which forms part of a larger evaluation carried out on the impact and effectiveness of the VPSCP, focuses primarily on the process and functioning of the programme; its strengths and challenges through the perspectives of key stakeholders; and perceptions of psychosocial stress in the community. Although firmer linkages with the government health care programme and with employment support/welfare schemes is needed, the VPSCP can be taken as a viable template for the integration of socio-economic determinants and mental health concerns in the agrarian context in order to reduce the incidence of suicide.