| Having a family member diagnosed with a mental | | | | better off dead, or it would be better for everybody |
| illness can leave you feeling almost as anxious and | | | | if I weren't here". Never ignore such talk or think it |
| scared as they are. How will you handle them? Will | | | | will go away on its own. If your loved one is talking |
| you be able to help them when they need it? Will | | | | like that, or openly saying they are thinking about |
| they be okay? These are all normal and valid | | | | suicide seek emergency professional help immediately. |
| questions, and the answer to all of them, usually is - | | | | Be aware that dealing with any type of illness in |
| yes. | | | | family members can be very draining on the care - |
| It is possible to deal with the issues surrounding | | | | givers and other members of the family. Do not |
| mental illness. The key is knowledge. Read all that | | | | overlook your own needs for rest, relaxation, and |
| you can find about what to expect from your loved | | | | general self care. Get the needed sleep you require |
| one's mental illness: The behaviors that you may | | | | to be alert and ready to handle your own life, and |
| encounter as a result of the illness, the care that | | | | that of your loved one as well. When necessary do |
| they will need during times of crisis, how to talk them | | | | not be ashamed to ask for help. There are many |
| through a difficult time, what kinds of medications | | | | agencies out there designed to give care-givers a |
| they will need. These are all common issues that will | | | | day off when they need it. Make use of them. Most |
| help you to deal with your loved one's mental illness. | | | | people do not realize how exhausting dealing with a |
| One of the first things you should do is to make sure | | | | family member's illness until they have to deal with it |
| that you have all of the necessary phone numbers | | | | themselves. |
| written down and easily accessible to everyone in | | | | Help your loved one deal with the issues of their |
| the house. Whether it is a sticky note on the | | | | mental illness and organize their time and more |
| refrigerator, or business cards posted to a bulletin | | | | difficult daily tasks. This will give them a sense of |
| board, you need doctor's phone numbers, your | | | | accomplishment as well as allow them to function in |
| nearest medical facility, and local ambulance and police | | | | society. It will also ease your own burdens of caring |
| phone numbers. These are not only important | | | | for them if you can set your mind at ease that they |
| numbers to have during times of crisis for your loved | | | | are able to handle as many of their basic needs as |
| one, but they are important to have for any type of | | | | possible. |
| family emergency as well. | | | | Keep stress to a minimum. That is true both for their |
| Know that your presence and love will go a long way | | | | sake as well as yours. The stress of dealing with any |
| toward making your loved one feel better about | | | | disease can wreak havoc on a family. Don't let your |
| themselves and their problems. Be ready to listen. | | | | loved one's mental illness destroy your entire family. |
| Sometimes that's all they will need. Remember that | | | | Remember to keep things in perspective. At times it |
| you do not have to have all the answers. You just | | | | can seem so overwhelming that even the little things |
| need to be a shoulder to cry on, or a comforting ear | | | | can make us blow up. Minimizing the stress and |
| to listen. | | | | keeping a positive attitude will help both you and |
| Be alert for warning signs that things are more | | | | your loved one cope, and have a happy family life. |
| serious than normal. Listen for key phrases like "I'd be | | | | |