Primary Care Giving to the Mentally Ill and Its Effect on Family Stability

Description

Mental illness causes tremendous change in the way individuals relate to others and how families spend resources. This book is thus an assessment on the forms of Primay Caregiving to mentally ill, factors responsible for Family Stability (FS) among families with a mentally ill person, effects of Pimary Caregiving to the mentally ill on FS and ways of overcoming effects of Primary Caregivers (PCG) to mentally ill to enhance family stability. The author carried out a study, prior to writing this book, so as to establish PCG services to the mentally ill and their effect on family stability in Kenyan setting, using Mathari Hospital as the pivotal point. Mathari Hospital was chosen on the basis that it is the biggest centre offering Psychiatric services in Kenya. The book begins with giving an overview on the Primary Caregiving services to the mentally ill and family stability. It introduces important general knowledge deemed important to enhance understandability. From the discussion, it is clear that Primary Caregiving to the mentally ill affects family stability – both positively and negatively. The author thus proposes salient measures towards combatting the negative effects that Primary Caregiving to the mentally ill has on family stability.

This book is worth reading by all who want to know more about the plight of the mentally ill and what the caregivers experience in the process of caring for persons with mental conditions. It is an informative work by an experienced mental health provider to professional and non professional caregivers of the mentally ill and to researchers in related fields [Prof. Benson N. Gakinya
MB; ChB, M.Med (Psych) – College of Health Sciences, Moi University].

Dr. Rogers Shitiavai Songole is a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health at Moi University, Kenya, an evaluator at University of Central Nicaragua, and a consultant at Lighthouse Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre. He holds a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (University of Central Nicaragua), a PhD in Christian Counselling (Newburgh Theological College), MSc. in Clinical Psychology (Makerere University), Pg.Dip in Psychiatric Social Work (Manchester University), B.A. Psychology, AA Degree (United States International University) and a Certificate in Teaching (Eregi Teachers’ Training College). Dr. Songole worked in Mathari Mental Referral and Teaching Hospital and taught at Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi before joining Moi University. He is also a co-founder member and long serving Chairman of Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors and an associate member of Kenya Psychiatric Association. Widely published in peer reviewed Journals, he specializes in Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Addiction Therapy, Trauma Therapy and Psychological Assessment and Treatment.