Chronic mental illness is a progressive ailment that often strikes during a person's late adolescence and prevents the stricken person from learning the "daily living skills" necessary to live independently as an adult. This manual provides a step-by-step training program for those daily skills which encompass knowledge and behavior. It is written for the staff of residental care and day treatment programs who work with the mentally ill and want to provide a thorough learning program. Schwartz's book is also applicable to individuals or caretakers of individuals with mild retardation.

With an apartment as a setting, the reader-trainer is taken from room to room and systematically given information and teaching suggestions. Trainees are given tasks to peforma nd must pass quizzes before proceeding to the next step; and each successful step demands receipt of an award. The final exam is a compilation of knowledge and the reward for completeing it is a chance to live in one's own apartment. To many cronically mentally ill adults, this may be their one great success in life.