Learning that a family member or friend is experiencing psychosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Here is some information to help you feel more informed and empowered to seek help.
Connecting to care:
What is psychosis?
STEP Family Tip Sheets:
Other Helpful Info:
- If someone you care about is experiencing psychosis and want to get them connected to care call our Statewide Referral line for Early Psychosis at (203) 200-0140
- One of our 5 Early Detection Assessment Coordinators (EDACs) will help screen for psychosis and connect eligible individuals to care
- For more info visit: https://mindmapct.org/
What is psychosis?
- Understanding Psychosis - NIMH
- DMHAS - First Episode Psychosis
- Understanding a First Episode of Psychosis for Caregivers
- What Family Members Need To Know
- Understanding Early Psychosis Infographic
STEP Family Tip Sheets:
- Family Guidelines for Supporting a Young Person with Psychosis
- Tips for Communicating with Someone Who is Experiencing Psychosis
- Family Resource Sheet
- Cannabis use and Psychosis
- Tips for Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community
Other Helpful Info:
- MILO – Free e-course on motivational interviewing for families
- Psychosis REACH – Recovery by Enabling Adult Carers at Home - online course and resources
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Informed Care for Families and Caregivers - videos and slides from Dr. Douglas Turkington
- Things Not To Say to Someone With Schizophrenia - BBC Video
- Short Guide to Psychiatric Drugs
- The LEAP Institute and Technique by Dr. Xavier Amador - Author of "I'm Not Sick, I Don't Need Help"
- Johnny’s Ambassadors - provides education to teens, parents, and communities about the dangers of high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. Offers a private Parents of Children with Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (POCCIP) Facebook group
How can I help?
Family, partners, and friends are very important in the process of recovery. You can provide love, stability, and reassurance as well as help with practical issues.
Family, partners, and friends are very important in the process of recovery. You can provide love, stability, and reassurance as well as help with practical issues.
- How to encourage treatment:
- How to connect to treatment:
- If in Connecticut, call our centralized referral line: 203 200-0140
- If seeking treatment outside of Connecticut please use the Treatment Locator to find an early intervention service near you.
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention Services - Connecticut
- FAQS For Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community
STEP Learning Collaborative Family and Community Presentations
Understanding the Basics about Early Psychosis
Common Stages of Adjustment for Family Members.
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is common for families and friends to go through the following stages: As you realize something serious is happening to your loved one, you may feel worried or frightened.
With a return to normalcy, you may speak with your loved one about psychosis, how it affected everyone involved, and how to help each other in the future.
Families, partners and friends need time to understand and accept what has happened. Don’t keep things bottled up. Talking with family members, friends, or professionals is very helpful.
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is common for families and friends to go through the following stages: As you realize something serious is happening to your loved one, you may feel worried or frightened.
- As the problem worsens, you may realize you can’t manage it yourself and seek help.
- You’ll probably have lots of questions, all of which are normal: What caused this? How do you treat it? What can I do to help? What should we tell people? Should we have sought help sooner? Could it happen again?
- As the person begins to recover, you will be relieved. You may understand the illness more and start to feel hopeful about the future.
With a return to normalcy, you may speak with your loved one about psychosis, how it affected everyone involved, and how to help each other in the future.
Families, partners and friends need time to understand and accept what has happened. Don’t keep things bottled up. Talking with family members, friends, or professionals is very helpful.
Strategies for Supporting Young Individuals with Early Psychosis
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Strategies for Supporting a Young Person Experiencing Early Psychosis
Part 1: General Strategies (43:36) |
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Coming soon!
Watch the live workshop on 9/19/24 at 12pm
Watch the live workshop on 9/19/24 at 12pm
Support for Families/Caregivers
You may also need support yourself to sort out your feelings and adjust to all that has happened. The STEP Learning Collaboratives' family workshops, along with these support agencies can help:
You may also need support yourself to sort out your feelings and adjust to all that has happened. The STEP Learning Collaboratives' family workshops, along with these support agencies can help:
Special Topics
Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community - Panel Discussion (60:30)
Support for Families/Caregivers
You may also need support yourself to sort out your feelings and adjust to all that has happened. The STEP Learning Collaboratives' family workshops, along with these support agencies can help:
You may also need support yourself to sort out your feelings and adjust to all that has happened. The STEP Learning Collaboratives' family workshops, along with these support agencies can help:
Watch this honest video of a parent’s journey when his own son was diagnosed with psychosis
Common Stages of Adjustment for Family Members.
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is common for families and friends to go through the following stages: As you realize something serious is happening to your loved one, you may feel worried or frightened.
With a return to normalcy, you may speak with your loved one about psychosis, how it affected everyone involved, and how to help each other in the future.
Families, partners and friends need time to understand and accept what has happened. Don’t keep things bottled up. Talking with family members, friends, or professionals is very helpful.
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is common for families and friends to go through the following stages: As you realize something serious is happening to your loved one, you may feel worried or frightened.
- As the problem worsens, you may realize you can’t manage it yourself and seek help.
- You’ll probably have lots of questions, all of which are normal: What caused this? How do you treat it? What can I do to help? What should we tell people? Should we have sought help sooner? Could it happen again?
- As the person begins to recover, you will be relieved. You may understand the illness more and start to feel hopeful about the future.
With a return to normalcy, you may speak with your loved one about psychosis, how it affected everyone involved, and how to help each other in the future.
Families, partners and friends need time to understand and accept what has happened. Don’t keep things bottled up. Talking with family members, friends, or professionals is very helpful.
Tips for Communicating with Someone Who is Experiencing Psychosis.
When a person experiences an acute psychotic episode, it can be frightening, confusing, and distressing to both the individual and his or her family and friends. Here are some things you can do to make their experience easier.
1. If they are having difficulty concentrating:
2. If they are expressing delusions and are 100% convinced:
3. If they are expressing delusions AND have previously been open to discussing them:
4. If the person’s behavior is frightening you:
If you feel you need support from first responders due to an acute safety issue, please make sure to do the following:
FAQS For Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community
When a person experiences an acute psychotic episode, it can be frightening, confusing, and distressing to both the individual and his or her family and friends. Here are some things you can do to make their experience easier.
1. If they are having difficulty concentrating:
- Keep your statements short
- Give one message at a time
- Don’t give too many choices at once
2. If they are expressing delusions and are 100% convinced:
- Don’t argue, say “You’re crazy,” or “ That’s not happening”
- Accept this is their reality. Be true to yourself. You might say, “I can’t see them but I know you can.”
3. If they are expressing delusions AND have previously been open to discussing them:
- You might gently remind them, “These thoughts come up sometimes” or “ You’ve learned not to give those thoughts too much attention.”
- They might check out their interpretations with someone they trust. You can ask respectfully, “How might that be/happen?”
4. If the person’s behavior is frightening you:
- Give the person space. Move gently to quieter, more open surroundings. Don’t crowd or rush the person.
- Try to speak and act calmly. Ask what might help.
- Try to stay calm and communicate simply and clearly.
- If there are warning signs of a relapse, reassure them that you are seeking help for them.
If you feel you need support from first responders due to an acute safety issue, please make sure to do the following:
- When calling 911, it is helpful to say to the operator that your call is regarding a mental health crisis and you require assistance. If your family member/friend has a diagnosis, let the 911 operator know what it is. Advocating for your family member/friend’s treatment and care can help ensure that their illness is taken into account by the police and other emergency responders during their interactions with them.
- If appropriate, request a mobile crisis team to come to your home instead of police. When speaking with the 911 operator and/or police, provide as much information about your family member/friend’s mental illness, prior contact with the law, and any concerns you have about the situation.
- Be prepared to repeat this information once police or other emergency responders arrive.
- If you must vacate the premises to call the police, stay close enough so that you can identify yourself and speak with officers when they arrive.
FAQS For Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community
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The STEP Learning Collaborative is a workforce development and community education initiative hosted by the STEP Program. Our mission is to transform access, care quality, and outcomes for individuals and families impacted by recent onset psychosis throughout the state of Connecticut.
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