Schizophrenia and other serious brain disorders are an extreme challenge not only for the person afflicted, but for the entire family. It helps a great deal to be able to talk with other people who have, or are, going though the same things that you are - to share tips and local resources in coping, and to work together in getting the best possible treatment in your city or area. Both medical research and anecdotal evidence have revealed that a social support network is a vital part of recovery for mental health consumers.

Below is are good sources on for finding such a support group. Also listed are the National Mental Health Offices that should be able to help with regard to the governmental services for mental health. If there isn't a support group in your area, start one - the national offices of each of these organizations are usually more than willing to help! Try the National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse for ideas and support.

Also - for quick and immediate support - join in the schizophrenia.com support group discussion areas listed on the home page. If we've missed a group below, please let us know (szwebmaster@yahoo.com)

• In the USA - We recommend you contact you local office of NAMI: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
  • For a listing of local NAMI chapters check here: NAMI list of Local Chapters/Affiliates
  • Some of the good local chapter web sites include: New York Metro NAMI, and California NAMI
    • Note: Different NAMI chapters have developed family training programs on schizophrenia and related brain diseases. We encourage you to participate in these. See the following list for California "Family to Family" programs - and contact your local chapter if you don't live in California (California NAMI - Family to Family Program)
  • Compeer is a non-profit organization that matches trained community volunteers with children and adults receiving mental health treatment. There are over 100 Compeer programs in the USA, Australia, and Canada.
    • Compeer Buddies Help Recovery (News, July 2005)
  • US Department of Health and Social Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Local Office Locator
  • National Mental Health Association - Local Office Locator
    
  • New York Support Consumer-Published Publication - New York City Voices
  
  
• In Canada, Join a chapter of The Schizophrenia Society of Canada and provincial chapters

• Here is a good example of a more progressive approach to providing information to the public, from the British Columbia Schizphrenia Society: PsychosisSucks
• Compeer is a non-profit organization that matches trained community volunteers with children and adults receiving mental health treatment. There are over 100 Compeer programs in the USA, Australia, and Canada.
  • Compeer Buddies Help Recovery (News, July 2005)
• Canadian Mental Health Association - Office Locator
  
  
• In Europe
  • EUFAMI - European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (appears to be very similar to NAMI in the United States)
    
  • In the UK see the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (RETHINK) and also SANE
  • In Italy visit Psiche2000 and IDEA
    
• In Australia there is the SANE Australia organization
• Compeer is a non-profit organization that matches trained community volunteers with children and adults receiving mental health treatment. There are over 100 Compeer programs in the USA, Australia, and Canada.
  • Compeer Buddies Help Recovery (News, July 2005)
  
  
• In Japan, there is the Zenkaren group
  • A good Japanese Sibling (Brother/Sisters) Groups Listing here
    
    
• In India, there doesn't seem to be much available - but these organizations seem to offer some help:
  • Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India) - SCARF
  • SCARF Conference on Schizophrenia (January, 2004)
  • Action for Mental Illness (ACMI)
    
    
• For other countries please visit: Worldwide Support Organizations List
• Visit the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders - it is a worldwide support organization for family-oriented support groups.

Web Resources - a comprehensive list of organizations, online reading material, and support/consumer websites, all accessible right from your computer.

Free Support Courses on Brain Diseases for Family Members: We also highly recommend that you take a course offered by NAMI (if its available in your area) called Family to Family - a 12 week course that helps family members deal with serious brain disorders.

• We encourage you to take this class because Patient And Family Education Improves Management Of Schizophrenia

• Good Resources to help you when someone you care about has Schizophrenia

• What Parents Can/Can't Do for Siblings
• Marriage to a Person that has Schizophrenia - A Husband's Perspective
• Coping with Schizophrenia - Frederick J. Frese
• Estate Planning when a family member has Schizophrenia
• Tips for handling a Crisis
•  Managing the 5 most common Symptoms of Schizophrenia
•  Understanding and responding to symptoms of schizophrenia

• Recognizing and Avoiding Relapse

• Recognizing Relapse
• Personal Therapy Helps Schizophrenia Patients Avoid Relapse

• Other resources to help you and your family cope with schizophrenia:

• Help with getting SSI for your family member with a brain disease
• Dealing With Stress on the Job and Elsewhere
• Reasons for Optimism for those with Schizophrenia
• Tips for those with Schizophrenia