Family Resources
SeizingPsych's Lists of Resources in Maryland:
Key Resources:
Family Perspectives:
Healing Voices: How Educators Can Help Students Experiencing Psychosis
Written by a mother, a parent advocate for children with mental illness, and an educator.
School & Education
Engaging with Schools to support your Child with Psychosis
SAMHSA article on school-based interventions and support.
A non-profit consortium of organizations concerned about children with learning and attention issues that offers excellent resources regarding developing an IEP or 504 Plan:
Support & Mentorship Programs for Caregivers & Family
SeizingPsych Virtual Caregiver Support Group
Meets the 4th Saturday of each month aimed at caregivers and support persons for people living with severe mental illness and psychosis.
Caregiver Self-Care Booklet
A guide to self-care from the Comprehensive Services on Aging. Targeted to some extent to caregivers of elderly parents with Alzheimers and related dementias, but containing helpful pointers for anyone caring for a person with memory disorders or behavioral problems related to mental illness.
A mentor program for those supporting someone with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder
Help-Lists
You can help yourself by allowing others to help you! Generate a list of easy ways someone can help you when they offer. Rather than saying there isn't a way for them to help, allow them to do one of those items on your list. Items can be as simple as asking for a hug!
A strategy for creating your network of friends, volunteering in the community through local food banks or shelters can be a way to meet new people in your community.
Talking to Your Loved One
I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help Book by Xavier Amador
Dr. Amador discusses his LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Agree & Partner) approach to help your loved one gain insight into their illness and to help you learn about anosognosia, a common symptom in several mental illnesses associated with lack of insight.
Reality Testing
Helping your loved one check in with reality when a suspicious-type of delusional thinking or hallucinations occur (instead of more directly negating those thoughts).
In the case of an emergency please call 911.
If located in the Harford County, Maryland area, ask the operator for a CIT (crisis intervention) officer who will be best equipped to mediate and find the best help in the case of a mental health crisis. If a CIT officer is available, they will be the responder.