Materials for Families
Printable guides, workbooks, and trusted organizations for families supporting a loved one experiencing psychosis or schizophrenia.
Getting oriented
Start here if psychosis is new to your family. These materials explain what is happening in plain language.
- Understanding psychosis (NIMH)
A short, readable overview of early psychosis, warning signs, and treatment options.
- Early psychosis: a guide for families (NAMI)
What to expect in the first months, and how families can be part of the care team.
- Psychosis screening tools
Validated questionnaires (PQ-16, PQ-B, PRIME) you can complete before an appointment.
Communication & day-to-day support
Practical scripts and strategies for difficult conversations, treatment refusal, and reducing conflict at home.
- Starting the conversation
How to raise concerns with a loved one without triggering defensiveness.
- First questions to ask
The signs to watch for and the questions that help clarify what you are seeing.
- LEAP (Listen–Empathize–Agree–Partner)
Dr. Xavier Amador's approach for partnering with someone who does not believe they are ill.
- Tips For Communication And Family Living
A practical guide from EASA with concrete strategies for daily communication, reducing stress, and living together during recovery.
Support & advocacy organizations
Free family education programs, peer support, advocacy networks, and resources for young people.
Resources for young people
Experiencing psychosis can be confusing. It can also be confusing to know where to get help. We are here to help you along your mental health journey to figure out what your next step will be. Sometimes finding the best care can be quick, and sometimes it may take a few weeks or months. In the meantime, here are some resources that people living with psychosis have found helpful.
- Learn more about psychosis
NAMI: Early Psychosis and Psychosis
- Internal Experiences of Psychosis
Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) – British Columbia
- Skills and tips to thrive with psychosis
NAMI: Early Psychosis and Psychosis Support; Strong365: Psychosis Support
- Strong365: Psychosis Support
Peer-informed tools, crisis planning tips, and connection to early psychosis care.
- Organizations led by individuals living with psychosis
Students With Psychosis; Hearing Voices Network
- Hearing Voices Network
Peer-led groups for people who hear voices and for the people who support them.
- Stories of individuals living with psychosis
OnTrack Story Library; Stories | Deconstructing Stigma; Voices of Recovery
- Cecilia McGough: I am Not a Monster
A TED talk about living with schizophrenia and challenging stigma.
- Eleanor Longden: The Voices in my Head
A TED talk about recovery, voice hearing, and reclaiming identity.
- Local support groups for individuals with psychosis
NAMI: Support Groups; Kiva Centers: Peer Support; Wildflower Alliance: Peer Support
- Kiva Centers: Peer Support
Peer-led community support and recovery resources in Massachusetts.
- Wildflower Alliance: Peer Support
Alternatives to conventional mental health services, rooted in peer support.
- Massachusetts early psychosis clinics
MAPNET: Program Directory
- On lowering risk of schizophrenia
Risk Reduction Strategies
- Medication information
MedlinePlus
- General mental health resources
Mental Health Is Health
Family & national advocacy
- NAMI Family-to-Family
A free, evidence-based 8-session education course taught by trained family members.
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
Advocacy, caregiver resources, and a national helpline.
- Early Assessment and Support Alliance: EASA
A network of early psychosis programs across Oregon offering family education, peer support, and coordinated specialty care resources.
- Sibling support
A printable booklet helping brothers and sisters understand and support a sibling experiencing psychosis.
These materials are educational and do not replace clinical advice. If you are worried about immediate safety, contact 988 or your local emergency services.