Brief Social Skills Training (BSST) in a General Hospital Psychiatry Unit in India

Social disability has been found to be a potent predictor of symptom exacerbations and re­hospitalizations. It is clear that social skills training is an effective strategy. Accessibility for the mental health consumers and the availability of services are the two main reasons which highlights the felt need of the brief skill development program in the GHPU during their hospitalization. This article reviews the need for brief skills training to enhance client's social competence to reach optimal functioning which in turn may decrease the risk of relapse or revolving door syndrome and may prevent further deterioration of individual's skills during their long stay in a GHPU's.