For Family and Friends
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Mental illness affects the families as well as the one with mental illness. You may find yourself denying the warning signs, worrying what other people will think because of the stigma, or wondering what caused your loved one to become ill.  Find out all you can about your loved one’s illness by reading and talking with mental health professionals.

 
Relationships will be different with each person and situation.  The family member or loved one must be willing to accept the mental illness and not add to the stigma.  It takes a lot of work to make a relationship work.  Understanding and working together is the key. 
 
One problem that may occur is that when the consumer begins to recover, the family member is no longer comfortable.  The consumer begins to feel empowered and motivated.  In the past the family member or loved one may have been used to being the caregiver and now must take on a different role.  In this aspect, everyone involved in the consumers life must adjust.  Some relationships may weaken or disappear while others may become stronger. 

Supporting Someone with a Serious Mental Illness

If you have a family member of friend who has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness, you are probably wondering what you can do to help. Support from family, friends and peers is an essential element in the recovery process.

There are many ways you can help someone close to you as they cope with a mental illness, navigate the treatment system and work towards recovery. As in any relationship, emotional and practical support is always needed. Occasionally, families and friends participate in someone's recovery by offering transportation, financial and housing assistance. Whatever form it takes, your support, compassion and respect matter.

Knowing when and how to give support can be difficult to figure out. Though you may feel protective of your family member of friend, remember that learning to manage one's own affairs, pursuing goals and becoming independent are important aspects of an individual's recovery from mental illness.

Tips for Supporting Someone Close to You

  • Educate yourself about the diagnosis, symptoms of the illness and side effects from antipsychotic treatments and other medications.
  • Recognize that your family member of friend may be scared and confused after receiving a diagnosis. Though some people are relieved to receive a diagnosis and actively seek treatment, it may feel devastating to others and bring on stressful feelings.
  • Listen carefully to your family member or friend and express your understanding back to him or her. Recognize the feelings he or she is experiencing and don't discount them, even if you believe them to be symptoms of the illness.
  • Encourage your family member or friend to become an active partner with his or her treatment team and to gain knowledge about what treatments and services will help in his or her recovery.
  • Recognize that it may take time for your family member of friend to find the proper medications and dosages that work.
  • Understand that recovery from mental illness isn't simply a matter of "just staying on one's medications." Self esteem, social support and a feeling of contributing to society are also essential elements in the recovery process.
  • Encourage your family member or friend to speak immediately to his or her healthcare provider about any problems related to medications. Your support in encouraging an ongoing Dialogue for Recovery can benefit the person's recovery.
  • Offer to accompany your family member or friend to medical and other appointments and, if he or she wants you to, discuss medication and side effects with the doctor and the treatment team of social workers, nurses or other professionals.
  • Always respect the individual's need for and right to privacy. A person with a mental illness has the same right to be treated with dignity and respect as any other person.