Authors: Deeble Institute - Ms Alana M Shepherd, Ms Sandra L Matheson, Prof Vaughan J Carr, Dr Anne-marie Boxall and Mr Krister H Partel

The Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines recommend intensive case management for people with first-episode psychosis or an acute relapse of schizophrenia. Often initiated following discharge from hospital or transfer from community-based acute care, case management is a collaborative, community-based program designed to ensure people receive quality health care and integrated support services. Case management may provide substantial benefits for people suffering severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, however, before case management services are made universally available, more work needs to be done to determine when, and for whom, these services are most effective.