The speed of progress is not as important as the direction. Setting expectations too high sets everyone up for stress and failure. Encourage and recognize progress, even if it is less than what was hoped for. Learn to reduce stress. The sorts of stress that most people handle every day may have much more impact on someone who is ill.
Stress can make people with mental illness vulnerable to relapse.
Talk to each other and to the healthcare team. Communication is important if you're going to work together. Be encouraging and supportive. A critical, overinvolved, or overprotective attitude may be threatening to people who are ill and may undermine their confidence. Learn problem-solving techniques.