Help for overwhelmed family members

"We've sacrificed our future and any chance of retiring for him … But what else can you do? I've spent years locked in my bedroom, sleeping on my car keys and with my purse under my pillow. That's the way people live when they have no options." – Contra Costa Times, October 12, 2005

Every day, we get calls and emails from people who are struggling. Some of the suggestions we make are in the following articles …

• Article: Hope for overwhelmed family caregivers: Assisted outpatient treatment significantly reduces caregiver strain
• Article: Families at risk (includes what to do if someone becomes assaultive)
• Article: Getting care for those in crisis, hospitalized, or incarcerated because of a severe mental illness (includes tips on preparing for a crisis and fighting for treatment)
• Checklist: What goes in your CARE kit? (a kit that you can build now and have on hand in case of an emergency)
• Checklist: Important emergency phone numbers to keep on hand (a list to get you started)
• Checklist: What goes in your psychiatric history document? (a critical piece of information for your CARE kit)
• Article: Dealing with a defense attorney