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