Samvedana – A Cognitive and Emotional Support Workshop for Caregivers of Individuals with Schizophrenia
Grant Awardee: Manaal Amir Ahmad
Samvedana was a structured psychoeducational initiative designed to strengthen the cognitive, emotional, and practical support available to caregivers of individuals living with schizophrenia. The project used interactive workshops to bu ild caregivers’ understanding of schizophrenia, communication skills, medication awareness, relapse prevention, and practical caregiving strategies, while also providing a supportive space for caregivers to share their experiences and challenges.
Project Highlights:
Engaged 41 participants, including 30 caregivers and 11 individuals living with schizophrenia, through structured and interactive workshops.
Demonstrated a significant improvement in caregiver knowledge, with mean scores increasing from 4.91 to 6.57 out of 10 (n=23; p=0.0029), with a large effect size (r=0.786).
Knowledge improved across almost all areas assessed, including schizophrenia myths, early treatment, communication, negative symptoms, relapse warning signs, caregiver responses, and medication awareness.
Participant experiences highlighted the importance of combining psychoeducation with emotional validation, peer connection, and practical caregiving strategies.
A caregiver reported using knowledge gained from the workshop to identify early signs of relapse and seek timely medical care, which they felt helped prevent a full relapse.
Established a foundation for integrating and scaling caregiver psychoeducation within existing mental health services and routine psychiatric care.