The booklet contains information to help people with schizophrenia
One in four people caring for relatives with schizophrenia say they have been given no information to help them over the last three years, a survey finds.
Rethink, which supports people with schizophrenia, found 27% of the 1,500 questioned felt they had been denied access to help.

It has joined up with 17 other mental health groups in Europe in a bid to improve the information available.

The network has published a handbook to help both patients and relatives.

The group, which will be known as the International Network for Mental Health Education (INFORMED), is publishing 100,000 copies of the handbook.

Schizophrenia affects an estimated one in 100 people across Europe. It is a serious brain disorder, characterized by symptoms that make it difficult for a person to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, and to organise their thoughts.

The survey found carers wanted to know more about medication, specific mental health problems, new treatments, local service provision and coping strategies.

Patients said the information currently available was either found in leaflets which did not provide sufficient depth of information, particularly for people newly diagnosed, or on the Internet and in textbooks which could be much too detailed.

'I was pole-axed'

Terry Hammond, special projects co-ordinator for Rethink, told BBC News Online: "Europe-wide, there is a lack of information available in regard to this illness, both in terms of people with the illness and their carers, and health professionals such as GPs, social workers and other healthcare professionals."

He said the UK was probably in the "top five" European countries in terms of how people with schizophrenia were treated. But he said standards across Europe were not high, and much more could be done.

"We are trying to let service users and their carers know that, with the right kind of treatment, it is possible to substantially improve quality of life."

Mr Hammond saw how difficult the situation could be for carers when his son Steven was diagnosed with schizophrenia five years ago.

Even though he already worked for Rethink, he said it was an extremely difficult time.

"I was pole-axed by it. But I did know the system, and I knew where to go. I really feel for people to whom it happens who don't have that."

Rodney Elgie, President of the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks in Europe, said: "We know that knowledge is power, and as a person affected by schizophrenia, if you aren't informed about your illness, your access to the latest treatments, rehabilitation, support, accommodation, and employment are severely reduced."

Preston Garrison, Secretary-General of the World Federation for Mental Health, said: "Access to information on the latest treatments available, particularly those that patients can adhere to, is critical to improving the quality of life for people with schizophrenia so that they can get better and make a contribution to society."