The onset of a mental illness is not only de-structuring for the subject, but also for those close to him/her. It has a devastating effect that generates experiences of guilt and some reactive to it: overprotection, hostility, among others. It can also cause havoc due to excessive love, or destruction due to abandonment.

Three questions will be addressed: Why early intervention in severe pathologies? Why multi-approach with group devices? Why and why include family members in the treatment?

The need to provide accommodation to families will be discussed in depth, since the appearance of symptomatology in the patient aggravates the dysfunctionality already existing in them, making psychic change more difficult.

The value and the specificity of the group will be based on an experience in a Public Hospital called “Open Group of Relatives and Patients”, usually “La Multi”.  It will be exemplified with a clinical vignette.