Resources for Families & Friends
Realizing that someone you love is struggling with a serious mental health issue is scary. There's a lot to learn and a lot to manage. Here are a few resources to help you to feel informed as you help your family member take the next step toward seeking help.
What is first-episode psychosis?
How do I help a friend or family member?
Advice on what to watch for and what to do
Living Well with Schizophrenia: Accepting Your Loved One's Mental Illness
Family Guidelines for Understanding & Managing Psychosis
M-PATH (the Massachusetts Psychosis Access & Triage Hub) is a free referral and consultation service available to anyone concerned about early psychosis for themselves or a loved one. M-PATH can help you to figure out what kind of support might be most helpful for you right now.
For help right now
Access a local, 24-hour crisis team that serves your neighborhood by texting, calling, or chatting the MA Behavioral Health Helpline (833-773-2445, www.masshelpline.com)
Recommended Reading
You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health -- with Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families
Where can I find support?
NAMI Programs & Support Groups
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a number of national peer-led programs for families struggling with mental illness. These include educational classes, family support groups, community presentations, and opportunities for advocacy.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
PPAL is a statewide, grassroots family organization that advocates for improved access to mental health services for children, youth and their families. PPAL’s goals are to support families, nurture parent leaders and work for systems change.
Parent-Peer Partnership Program
Wayside offers free support groups for parents and caregivers who are raising children and young adults with mental illness. Meetings are held virtually during COVID-19. These meetings offer a space meet other parents/caregivers in a confidential atmosphere of mutual support.
Family Education Group for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders
McLean Hospital offers an in-person group for family members of those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. This group is facilitated by Lisa Charland, a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) with McLean Hospital. She lives with a mental health condition and also identifies as a family member and supporter. She has worked with people who experience psychosis for three years.
Flourishing Families
Flourishing Families at Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is a free 6-week, comprehensive supports and skills-building program. This course supports parents, guardians, and caregivers of young adults who live with mental health and/or substance use conditions to heal and build sustainable, health-promoting relationships.
Crafting Support Project
The McLean Hospital Division of Psychotic Disorders offers a free Crafting Support Project Family Webinar Series about how families can use skills like Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to help support relatives navigating mental health recovery by improving communication and creating an environment that fosters healthy behavior change.
BHHL Treatment Locator
The MA Behavioral Health Helpline maintains a directory of over 5,000 programs and organizations across Massachusetts to help with mental health, substance use, and social service needs, searchable by keyword and zip code.
The School of Hard Talks (Online)
This interactive online course was created by parents for parents. It will teach you about a communication style called "motivational interviewing" that you can use to have better conversations with teens and young adults.
Handhold
Handhold is a resource developed by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for parents who have started to notice signs of mental illness in their child. It has information on what signs to look for, helpful tips from other parents, and resources to help you find the right treatment for your child and family.
Family Resource Centers
Massachusetts Family Resource Centers, with locations in all 14 counties in MA, offer a space to develop connections with others in your community and get support from skilled professionals in health, safety, educational, and employment services. Services include youth and parent support groups, information and referral, educational support, and cultural events.
Having trouble with telehealth? Check out the FCC’s Lifeline Program, a U.S. government program that helps low income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.