Focus on Women: A Service for Women With Schizophrenia

A program for women with schizophrenia that combines inpatient, outpatient, and outreach services is described. The program was established at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in 1995. Services include a comprehensive patient and family assessment, with subsequent recommendations to the treating clinician about differential diagnosis, psychopharmacologic and psychosocial treatments, and patient management during pregnancy and early parenthood. Other components of the program are home-based outreach services, substance abuse counseling, instruction of new mothers and parenting training, sex education, relationship-focused groups, and self-protection in an urban environment to prevent victimization. The clinic has established liaisons with pediatricians and gynecologists in the community to provide care to clinic patients. Linkages have also been established with agencies and facilities to fill gaps in the service spectrum, such as fitness programs and leisure activities and children's aid and protection.