AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
Back to AICAFMHA Homepage / News in Brief Index / Issue 3.01
13 January, 2003
For immediate release
media release
SANE Australia
A national charity helping those affected by mental illness through campaigning, education
and research
It?s official? drugs are not enough to treat schizophrenia
SANE Australia?s call for a wider range of treatments to help people with schizophrenia, in addition to medication, has received international backing from NICE ? the UK-based National Institute for Clinical Excellence
The NICE team recently evaluated the best scientific evidence from around the world on treatment and care of people with schizophrenia. They have come up with a set of internationally-significant guidelines which conclude that medication alone is insufficient to treat schizophrenia. They recommend a range of other treatments as equally essential, including psychological therapy and support for families.
SANE Australia, the national mental health charity, is urgently calling for the introduction of these treatments in Australia. Barbara Hocking, executive director of SANE, says: ?All too often, people with illnesses such as schizophrenia are given a prescription and all but left to fend for themselves. SANE?s Charter for a better life for people with mental illness makes clear the urgent need for psychological and family therapies, as well as the best available medications.?
Pat McGorry, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, comments: ?These proven treatments are not routinely available in Australia, where, despite service reforms, there is continuing serious neglect of people with schizophrenia and their families. The NICE guidelines provide a timely reminder that we have a tremendous amount of work to do to improve the quality of life of people with schizophrenia and their families?.
NICE Guidelines on Treatment of Schizophrenia
The guidelines contain many recommendations, including routine provision of:
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) ? a ?talking therapy? that explores a person?s thinking, as a way of improving self esteem, emotional stability and coping skills, while reducing distress and disability connected with symptoms. CBT, used as a component of treatment, helps people cope with the effects of mental illness and can reduce the severity and frequency of episodes of illness. The new NICE guidelines recommend that anyone presenting with symptoms of psychosis attend a minimum of10 sessions of CBT.
Family therapy which aims to strengthen and educate the family, to help them as well as the person who is ill. The therapist assists the family to improve communication and problem-solving skills while providing information about schizophrenia, therefore reducing the adverse impact on the person and their family.
The SANE Charter
The SANE Charter calls for a better life for people affected by mental illness:
? Access to effective treatments, not routinely available in Australia
? Improved rehabilitation and other support in the community
? Help for family and other carers
? An end to stigma and discrimination.
Back to AICAFMHA Homepage / News in Brief Index / Issue 3.01
Printable Version