Relatives are still often left on their own to deal with extensive issues and problems and are therefore often overwhelmed. They and their families suffer from marginalisation and stigmatisation. Around half a million chronically mentally ill people live in Germany, the majority of them in their families. Against this background, self-help groups and state associations were formed years ago in all federal states in order to provide mutual support and better represent the interests of families.

For years, self-help has become an independent element alongside service providers and cost bearers. It aims to effectively represent the interests of patients and people with disabilities. The participation of self-help representatives in social and health care bodies is now recognised everywhere, and they also participate in community psychiatric associations, for example. The expertise of those affected is increasingly in demand from various quarters.

The Centre for Psychiatry Reichenau has actively supported the work of relatives for many years, in particular with the relatives' groups, which offer concrete help and support for relatives. Under the guidance of doctors and psychologists, relatives can exchange information with each other and acquire the necessary knowledge about illnesses. Regular participation positively supports the course of treatment.

The relatives' group is an open invitation to relatives, friends and/or acquaintances who have a special relationship with the patient, want to accompany the illness process, need advice and understanding themselves and would like to receive energy in the sense of their own mental hygiene. A central element is the emotional relief for relatives through the exchange of experiences with other similarly affected relatives.

There are several programmes for relatives at ZfP Reichenau:

• Guided self-help group for relatives of patients with illnesses from the psychosis spectrum 
  (Clinic for Social Psychiatry, Ward 33, House 22).
• Information group for relatives, friends and family of patients with depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and personality disorders (at the SINOVA Clinic).
• In addition to the problems and issues mentioned above, relatives of patients in the psychiatric hospital often have questions about the legal aspects of their placement and special visiting arrangements.