Coming to terms with a mental illness is one of the most challenging endeavors a family can face. For many, mental illness strikes just when a young adult is gaining confidence in who they will become, understanding how they will fit into their family and society, and fulfilling their own life dreams. When a young person experiences a mental illness with psychosis, the entire family is impacted. Parents wonder if their hopes and dreams for their child will be harmed, friendships change, and families can become more socially isolated by the stigma and shame that comes along with the diagnosis.

Family members can experience a range of emotions. Some may experience denial, hoping that with more testing another explanation will be found. Others may experience sadness and fear at what the future holds. Having known no one who has been in a similar situation, many family members feel lonely and may not even have the words to explain what is happening to others who may under other circumstances provide support and encouragement. Some will express confusion about what is going on or uncertainty around what is best for their loved one.

All of these are understandable reactions. It is normal to have feelings of anger, guilt, and/or grief around having to navigate this new challenge that is now in front of you. Everyone goes through these stages at their own pace. If you are in one place today, you may be in another place tomorrow. Such changes are normal and will level out over time. Things are not hopeless.

Your loved one can recover, learn strategies to manage their feelings and symptoms, and pursue their career, social, and relationship goals. There are treatments that work so that young adults can go on to lead fulfilling lives. It is especially important to get the correct diagnosis and treatment early. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is begun, the more positive the outcome will be for the individual. In addition, building a network of natural supports is critical. 

There are many ways that family members can help a person in recovery from psychosis. Family members and friends can:

• Help the person with psychosis get to treatment appointments and work with their treatment team.
• Stay in regular contact with the treatment team.
• Advocate for the person with psychosis to get the support they need.
• Learn about psychosis so you know what is happening.
• Assist with remembering and initiating appointments and activities.
• Observe and report symptoms the person with psychosis may not be aware of.
• Include the person with psychosis in family and social activities.
• Maintain a safe, positive, supportive atmosphere at home and when socializing.
• Help with finances.
• Take care of yourself and get your questions answered.
• Understand the goals that your loved one has for recovery.
• Be patient.
• Attend family support groups in your area to learn how other families cope and support the recovery of loved ones.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. They offer information and guidance that can help family members of loved ones with mental illness, including young adults experiencing early psychosis.

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers resources for families and family-run organizations supporting behavioral health recovery and resilience for children, youth, and adults.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides printable materials such as factsheets, brochures, and a glossary. You’ll also find online and telephone assistance, informative videos, and more.

Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) works in all counties in Maryland to help families access needed supports and services for their families and empower family members to advocate for improving services in all systems of care for children, youth, adults and families.

The First Episode of Psychosis: A Guide for Young People and their Families, Revised and Updated Edition (Beth Broussard and Michael T. Compton, 2021) is a concise and approachable psychoeducational book for families and patients focusing exclusively on the first episode of psychosis

The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia: Helping Your Loved One Get the Most Out of Life (Kim T. Mueser and Susan Gingerich, 2006) explains schizophrenia and effective treatments while also providing practical suggestions for managing symptoms. There are also specific sections tailored to parents, children, siblings, and partners.

The Engaging with Schools to Support Your Child with Psychosis tip sheet provides information on how to coordinate with schools when their child is experiencing psychosis. Information is provided related to disclosing a diagnosis, reducing bullying, setting goals, engaging support and accommodations, and preparing for school support team meetings.

Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA) promotes hope and recovery in lives affected by mental illnesses involving psychosis through support programs, education, collaboration, and advocacy. Of note, SARDAA offers a family and friends support group (call-in), in addition to other resources.

Resources for Youth

The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know outlines how a teenager’s brain grows, matures, and adapts to the world. 

Depression and College Students: Answers to College Students' Frequently Asked Questions About Depression describes what depression is, how it affects college students, and treatment options. 

Linking Young Adults and Families with Community and Peer-Led Organizations

An important goal in treating psychosis-spectrum disorders is for young adults and their families to develop natural supports within the community. There are three general sets of community resources that will be needed for many young adults:

1. Additional mental health or clinical services not provided by the primary clinician or clinic, such as cognitive behavioral treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, or PTSD; inpatient substance abuse treatment; or dialectical behavior therapy. 

2. Non-psychiatric medical services such as general care, laboratory work, or substance use detoxification.

3. Peer or community support resources such as those available through NAMI,  AA/NA, Double Trouble in Recovery, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

The clinician can actively assist the young adult in exploring and trying out such programs and activities. The exact nature of this assistance will differ for individual young adults – some may require only a referral while others may ask for help contacting a resource or ask a team member to accompany them to appointments/meetings.

Maryland Coalition of Families has a statewide staff of Family Peer Support Specialists and Substance Use Family Peer Support Specialists, all of whom have personal experience caring for a child with a behavioral health disorder. They provide information and referrals, services navigation, advocacy and support groups, and one-to-one family peer support and advocacy. 

On Our Own of Maryland, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides a wide array of self-care resources, advocacy programs, and support groups across the state for people with mental illnesses.

On Our Own of Maryland’s Transitional Age Youth Project empowers young adults ages 18–29 with mental health and substance use struggles to share their experiences and unique insights, touch the lives of other young adults through peer support, and advocate for a behavioral health system which adequately addresses their needs and honors their voices.

Strategic Sharing Youth Advocacy Guide: National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a guide for individuals who have experienced traumatic life experiences and are interested in strategically sharing their stories in an effort to promote positive change. 

Youth Leadership Toolkit: National Resource Center for Youth Development provides the fundamentals of meaningful youth engagement strategies to help organizations better include and support the youth they serve. 

Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA) offers a peer support group, as well as other resources to promote hope and recovery among those affected by mental illnesses involving psychosis.