Users and Relatives Experts (UFE) as a resource in psychic illness treatment.

Taking charge of psychiatric patients represents a complex intervention, aimed at increasing autonomy and quality of life of both individuals with a severe psychiatric symptomatology and their relatives; in particular, psychiatric rehabilitation and psychoeducational interventions, focusing on treatment and relational and social skills, may lead to a decrease in negative effects from the illness. From the experience of a Mental Health Department in Trento, a Psychiatric Service for Diagnosis and Treatment in Palermo launched a project based on the participation of Users and Relatives Experts (UFE) in various activities related to reception, support and self help group. UFE intervention was …