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Helping a loved one who is experiencing a severe mental illness, especially someone who may not realize they are sick, is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Your help can and will make a difference in their life. For some, it may even mean the difference between life and tragedy.
Unfortunately, there are many institutional roadblocks to getting someone care. Navigating the various state laws can mean walking a difficult path, especially as you try and balance your time as a caregiver.
You are not alone. There are thousands of families across the U.S. who are generously giving of themselves to help family members, friends, and other loved ones in their time of need.
The Treatment Advocacy Center is here to help. This website provides important information on the laws in your state and things you can do to prepare now to help a loved one. Becoming informed is an important start. Becoming an advocate is another great way to share with others and work to improve timely effective treatments for people with severe mental illnesses.
Helpful Resources:
- Edition of the Catalyst newsletter, especially for family members
This special issue of the Treatment Advocacy Center's newsletter includes a feature article on preparing for crisis and fighting for treatment, with some checklists and instructions on pulling together a CARE kit in case you ever need it; and information on a new study showing that assisted outpatient treatment reduces caregiver strain. There are hard data on New York’s successes with assisted outpatient treatment and a detailed legal article on navigating the HIPPA privacy law, which many people ask us about. Read the newsletter online
- Create a Crisis Brochure: Tips for advocates from advocates
Some localities have brochures that can be of great help to people in a psychiatric crisis and their families. NAMI Maryland created one to help consumers and family members in their state. This one-page brochure gives an overview of what to do in a crisis and lists emergency contact numbers. Janet Edelman, with NAMI Maryland, also offers helpful information and suggestions for others who wish to make crisis brochures for their states in this PowerPoint Presentation.
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Advocacy in Thirty-minutes
You wouldn’t be asking how you could help if you weren’t already passionate and committed, the most important tools for any advocate. But you are also busy – that’s why we pulled together some ideas for when you have a small window of time. We call it “thirty-minute advocacy.” Read more about thirty-minute advocacy and find out how you can take action.
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