Volunteers, voluntary organizations and the schizophrenic patient: Two psychiatrists' view on the role of lay persons in a therapeutic system

Volunteers and voluntary organizations can make a positive and special contribution to the care of chronic schizophrenic patients and to their restoration towards normal living. Not only can they contribute to the rehabilitation and treatment programme in ways that the usual health, welfare and rehabilitation services cannot, but they also represent a welcome addition to our limited resources.Constructive collaboration between volunteers and professional staff can be of great benefit in the healing and restitution process. Yet there are also some reservations, dangers and pitfalls. Properly organized, however, volunteer collaboration might be the best way of tackling one of the most difficult problems in schizophrenia, namely alienation.