title: Professional views of supporting relatives of mental health clients with severe mental illness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Supporting families where one person suffers from long-term severe mental illness (SMI) is essential, but seems hard to reach. The aim of this study was to examine professionals' views of supporting relatives of persons with SMI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual interviews mirroring personal narratives and group interviews reflecting group-processed answers were conducted among 23 professionals and analyzed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged: (a) information and group interaction reduces stigma and increases well-being, (b) professionals need to feel secure and confident about how the support structure works and (c) collaboration is difficult but required on several levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trusting relationships with families were considered important, although seldom achieved; professionals wished to feel secure in their role toward relatives of a person with SMI; and professionals wanted to feel confident when working together with other services to support families.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hjärthag
authors.affiliation: 2 Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.affiliation: 2 Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ingvarsdotter
authors.affiliation: 2 Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Östman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D000072858:Psychosocial Support Systems; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma; D013548:Sweden
keywords: Severe mental illness; family intervention; family member; professionals; support