Schizophrenia

to stay positive and supportive when dealing with a friend or loved ones mental illness. As well as supporting the person with schizophrenia	 you may want to get support to cope with your own feelings.Several voluntary organisations provide help and support for carers. Friends and family should tryto understand what schizophrenia is	 how it affects people	 and how they can help.You can provide emotional and practical support	 and encourage people to seek appropriate support and treatment. As part of someones treatment	 you may be offered family therapy. This can provide information and support for the person with schizophrenia and their family. Friends and family can play a major role by monitoring the persons mental state	 watching out for any signs of relapse	 and encouraging them to take their medication and attend medical appointments. If you are the nearest relative of a person who has schizophrenia	 you have certain rights that can be used to protect the patients interests. These include requesting that the local social services authority ask an approved mental health professional to consider whether the person with schizophrenia should be detained in hospital. Want to know more? Mind: how to cope as a carer Depression and suicide Many people with schizophrenia experience periods of depression . Do not ignore these symptoms.Ifdepression is not treated	it can worsen and lead to suicidal thoughts. Studies have shown thatpeople with schizophrenia have a higher chance of committing suicide. If you have been feeling particularly down over the last month and no longer take pleasure in the things you used to enjoy	 you may be depressed. See your GP for advice and treatment. Immediately report any suicidal thoughts to your GP or care co-ordinator. The warning signs of suicide The warning signs that people with depression and schizophrenia may be considering suicide include: making final arrangementssuch as giving away possessions	 making a will or saying goodbye to friends talking about death or suicide this may be a direct statement such as	 I wish I was dead	 or indirect phrases such as	 I think that dead people must be happier than us	 or Wouldnt it be nice to go to sleep and never wake up? self-harmsuch as cutting their arms or legs	 or burning themselves with cigarettes asudden lifting of mood thiscould mean a person has decided to commit suicide and feels better because of their decision Helping a suicidal friend or relative If you see any of these warning signs: get professional help for the person	 such as from a crisis resolution team (CRT) or the duty psychiatrist at your local A&E department let them know they are not alone and you care about them offer your support in finding other solutions to their problems If you feel there is an immediate danger of the person committing suicide stay with them or have someone else stay with them. Remove allavailable means of suicide such as sharp objects and medication.