{"id":17277,"date":"2012-03-08T19:56:24","date_gmt":"2012-03-09T00:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhe180dev.wpenginepowered.com\/news\/pilot-program-demonstrates-measurable-benefits-for-people-with-schizophrenia\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T09:14:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T14:14:57","slug":"pilot-program-demonstrates-measurable-benefits-for-people-with-schizophrenia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.grafik.mentalhealthfirstaid.org\/es\/news\/pilot-program-demonstrates-measurable-benefits-for-people-with-schizophrenia\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot Program Demonstrates Measurable Benefits for People with Schizophrenia"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"improvements<\/p>\n

EVIDENCE-BASED TOOLS HELP IMPROVE DAILY FUNCTIONING AND INCREASE TREATMENT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY<\/span><\/h1>\n

March 8, 2012 \u2013 Washington, D.C. \u2013 People with schizophrenia report improved functioning after participating in a new, evidence-based clinical program, according to results announced today from a six-month pilot. The program, Advancing Standards of Care for People with Schizophrenia, was spearheaded by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council) and administered at 10 community behavioral health organizations across the country. The program significantly improved communication, social interaction and coping skills for persons recovering from schizophrenia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough society\u2019s understanding of schizophrenia has progressed over the decades, we can do more to help people with the illness recover,\u201d said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. \u201cThis program promotes practitioner and consumer partnerships. Together they measure progress and reinforce what works. It\u2019s a true step forward for people with schizophrenia and the organizations that serve them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program revolved around two evidence-based tools: a group curriculum to help adults better understand and self-manage their mental health condition; and a functional assessment tool, which tracks a person\u2019s ability to independently carry out everyday tasks. The tools encourage participants to take control of their mental illness, discuss it with others, and monitor progress. Participants said they found this helpful in addressing the misconceptions others may have about them.<\/p>\n

According to one 49-year-old treated at Hill Country Mental Health in Kerrville, Texas, participating in the program gave her confidence to face her diagnosis and fears.\u201cI was frightened, isolated and sometimes in denial about my illness,\u201d she said. \u201cAfter participating in this program, I\u2019m much more confident discussing things openly with my mental health provider and even sharing what I\u2019ve learned with people around me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Health care providers that participated in the program said that the measurement tool gave them accurate and reliable data that supported increased transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all adapting to health care system changes that recognize the value of care over volume of care,\u201d said Linda Werlein, CEO of Hill Country Mental Health. \u201cThis program provided both an effective curriculum, and a way to demonstrate progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rosenberg also notes that the program\u2019s success holds great potential for replication. She emphasizes, \u201cthe participating behavioral health centers found the interventions to be effective, easy to administer and results-oriented, and many of them plan to spread the program throughout their organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Christopher, a client at AltaPointe Health Systems in Mobile, Alabama, says the program encouraged him to think about and solve problems in new ways. \u201cI learned valuable life skills, how to stay healthy, manage my anger, and prevent a relapse,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Key Results:<\/p>\n