This book provides major traditions, theoretical approaches and the development in care and treatment of mental illness both historically and contextually. It also elucidates the clinical characteristics and treatment approaches of two major mental disorders namely, schizophrenia and mood disorders and discusses on the theories of family caregiving in the context of mental illness. The book provides the results of the empirical investigation on burden, coping patterns and wellbeing of family caregivers who are playing the primary role in caregiving for their loved ones with schizophrenia and mood disorders in Nagaland. A creative integrative approach of pastoral care and counselling along with family intervention models is proposed to address the predicament of people with mental illness and families. This book envisaged that the Church Caring Ministry has a unique role to facilitate 'presence and hope' to families coping with mental illness in their journey towards recovery and wholeness. It advocates creative collaboration of Church caring ministry, mental health professionals, mental health policy makers, theological community and the wider community to work towards de-stigmatization, prevention and intervention measures to promote positive mental health for families with mental illness and the community at-large. Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgement List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Prevalence of Mental Disorders 2. Family Caregiving in Mental Illness: A Comprehensive View 3. Importance of the Study 4. Hypothesis 5. Method of Investigation 6. Structure of the Book Chapter 1: Historical Review on Mental Illness and Families Introduction 1. Conceptual Definition of Mental Disorders/Mental Illness 2. Major Traditions and Theories on Causes and Treatment Approaches of Mental Disorders 3. Development in Treatment and Care of People with Mental Illness 4. Psychiatric Treatment and Care of Mental Illness and Families: An Indian Scenario 5. Treatment Approaches and Care of Mental Illness in Nagaland Summary Chapter 2: Understanding Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders: A Clinical Review Introduction 1. Schizophrenia 2. Mood Disorders Summary Chapter 3: Theoretical Appraisal of Family Caregiving in Mental Illness Introduction 1. Experiential Impact of Mental Illness on Family Caregivers 2. Theory of Coping 3. Models of Family Caregivers’ Coping Summary Chapter 4: Analysis and Interpretation of the Field Research Introduction 1. Socio-Demographic Variables of Caregivers and Patients 2. Description of Burden, Coping and Wellbeing of Family Caregivers 3. Comparison of Caregivers’ Burden, Coping and Wellbeing between the Groups and Socio-Demographic Variables 4. Correlations of Burden and Coping with Socio-demographic Variables of Caregivers and Patients 5. Correlation of Family Caregivers’ Burden, Coping and Wellbeing 6. Queries on Formal Support Systems for People with Mental Illness and Families in the State of Nagaland Conclusion Chapter 5: Discussion on Research Findings and the Tenability of the Research Hypothesis Introduction 1. Socio-Demographic Variables of Caregivers and Comparisons between the Groups (CPPT vs. CPNPT) (tables 1a and 1b) 2. Socio-Demographic Variables of Patients and Comparison between the Groups (CPPT vs. CPNPT) (Tables 2a and 2b) 3. Description and Comparison of Family Caregivers’ Burden, Coping and Wellbeing between the Groups (CPPT vs. CPNPT) (Tables 3 and 4) 4. Socio-Demographic Variables of Patients and Caregivers and their Influence on Burden and Coping 5. Correlation of Caregivers’ Burden, Wellbeing and Coping 6. Formal Psychosocial Support, State Government Aid and the Church Ministry for Families with Mental Illness Summary Chapter 6: Towards a Creative Integrative Approach of Pastoral Care and Counselling and Family Intervention Models Introduction 1. Towards a Theology of Pastoral Care and Counselling 2. Locating the Role of Pastoral Care and Counselling for Families of People with Mental Illness: A Creative Integrative Approach 3. Family Intervention Models 4. Important Recommendations/Suggestions Summary Conclusion Bibliography Appendix About the Author: Dr. Vibeituonuo Mere teaches Christian ministry and Counselling in Gospel & Plough Institute of Theology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. She earned her Doctor of Theology in Christian Ministry-Counselling from the United Theological College, Bangalore, Senate of Serampore (University). Her research interests include Women, Mental Health & Family, Pastoral theology & Counselling. Earlier she served in the Angami Baptist Council of Churches (Women Department) in Nagaland, and also as a missionary teacher in Kolbari, Assam. She has been serving as a theological educator for the past 19 years in theological institution-till date. Besides teaching, she also involves in care and counselling ministry. She is married to N. Moatemjen Ao, Assistant Professor of History of Christianity. They are blessed with a son, Jangsen and a daughter, Sophia.