Schizophrenia family work: mental health nurses delivering an innovative service.

1. Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) have an unique role in providing care to the mentally ill. The Thorn Nurse Initiative designed to prepare and evaluate the work of MHNs has been successful in providing nurses with the skills of Family Work for Schizophrenia. 2. The effectiveness of family work in improving MHNs' knowledge of and attitudes about schizophrenia has been demonstrated, and there is increasing evidence of the efficacy of MNHs in delivering family work. 3. The impact of schizophrenia on families tends to go unrecognized, and there is an urgent need to train nurses in family work to help families cope with this illness. 4. Families are extremely valuable and a positive resource for clients. The emphasis of family work is to promote and support all families in improving their knowledge of schizophrenia, and its effects, and in developing their coping skills.