The Mental Healthcare Team

The mental healthcare team is made up of all the individuals who assist in the treatment process of your friend or relative. Depending on where your friend or relative is in their treatment process, the team may include some or all of the following members: psychiatrist, nurses, case manager, social worker , therapist, psychologist, occupational and vocational therapists and you, the caregiver.

Psychiatrist
The psychiatrist is responsible for the diagnosis and medical treatment of the illness. They will work with your friend or relative to find a medication that is right for them. The psychiatrist monitors the symptoms of schizophrenia and any side effect that patients may have.

Nurse
After the psychiatrist has established a treatment program, a nurse practitioner may be responsible for the day-to-day aspects of treatment. The nurse can answer any questions about symptoms and treatment side effects and also provide tips for a healthy lifestyle. The nurse can also administer injectable medications.

Case Manager
A case manager can help people with schizophrenia gain access to social service programs such as disability income. They can also help to make sure that patients get the basic things they need such as food, clothes, a place to live and medical treatment. A case manager would ensure that people with schizophrenia get proper psychosocial therapy based on their needs. Psychosocial programs provide life, social and occupational skills.

Social Worker
A social worker can help people with schizophrenia gain access to social service programs such as disability income. They can also help to make sure that patients get the basic things they need such as food, clothes, a place to live and medical treatment.

Therapist
Once the patient's symptoms are under control they may need psychosocial counseling to help them cope with the fear, isolation and stigma associated with the illness. A therapist – usually a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or nurse can help them set goals for the future.

Psychologist
A psychologist is able to help people with schizophrenia understand their thoughts and feelings and teach coping and problem-solving skills in an individual or group setting .

Occupational and Vocational Therapists
As patients move forward in the recovery process they may start to set goals for themselves. One of those goals may be finding employment. Occupational or vocational therapists can help them explore their abilities and interests and help them develop the skills they need to find employment.

The Caregiver
As a caregiver you play an essential role in providing support, comfort and stability to your friend or relative. There will be times when you will need to become the voice of the patient in order to ensure that they get the best possible care to expedite their improvement.

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Your role as the caregiver

It is important for you to remember that you are not alone. Do not be afraid to ask for help or admit that you don't understand something. Speaking to your friend's or relative's doctor can help you understand their illness, their medications and what to expect in terms of symptom control and side effects.

Visit our resource center to link to Web sites that provide additional information on the illness. You will also find a list of suggested reading materials.

Your input is also essential in helping the doctor make the right decisions. Sometimes only a caregiver will be aware of the strange behavior a patient has exhibited. Since the patient may not volunteer such information during an examination, you can report these changes to the doctor so that all relevant information can be taken into account.

You can also help the doctor in the following ways:

• Learn the medications your friend or relative is taking and the exact doses.
• Write down what medications didn't seem to work and why. Click here to download a medicine card to keep track of their medications and their next appointment for their RISPERDAL CONSTA injection.
• Write down what drugs resulted in improvement and what the doses were. If your friend or relative switches doctors or hospitals, this can help tremendously, since the doctor won't have to start all over again.
• Observe symptoms and side effects and report any changes – both positive and troubling – that you see.

Be available to comfort and support your friend or relative. Be understanding, particularly when they are depressed and have negative thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. Reassure them that people with schizophrenia can live full, productive lives. Be vigilant about medication compliance. Talk to their doctor about RISPERDAL CONSTA to see if it is an appropriate option. Know the early warning signs of relapse and have a plan of action in place if you think he/she is showing signs of relapse.

Help your friend or relative identify and set reasonable goals that will provide a "gateway" back into the community. Help them get involved in a peer support group where they can develop their social skills and establish friendships.

To find a peer support group in your area visit our resource center.

Encourage and help them lead a healthy lifestyle – one that includes regular exercise and healthy eating. In fact you may want to try this together. People should always check with their physician before starting any exercise program.

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