The paper presents the results of a study undertaken in Zimbabwe which set out to document the experiences, attitudes and needs of families as they face the responsibility of caring for persons with mental illness. The basic aim of the study was to paint a "broad brush" picture of the service needs of both mentally ill persons and their families and to determine under what burdens, if any, families labour as caretakers. The study involved families of patients whose illnesses were distinguished as or closely resembled schizophrenia or major affective disorders. Altogether no fewer than 34 interviews were conducted in various parts of Zimbabwe. A fundamental conclusion of the study is that families continue to bear a heavy responsibility for providing assistance to persons with mental illness, and hence require a great deal more support, education and additional services from government, NGOs and the wider community to help them successfully assist in caring for their family members.
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