How we support you as a carer or family member
When someone you care about is affected by psychosis, it can be distressing, confusing, and exhausting. You may not know what to say, how to help, or where to turn. That’s why we offer practical and emotional support for families, carers and loved ones.
Your insight, encouragement and care can make a huge difference to recovery, and we’re here to support you in that role.
Our Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service recognises families and carers as partners in care. We offer:
Family intervention
- Structured sessions with a trained practitioner
- Help with communication and understanding
- Support to reduce stress and find practical ways forward
- Involvement of wider family if appropriate
Find out more about family intervention
Carer information and rights
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Guidance on what to expect during recovery
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Understanding medication and side effects
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Advice for managing challenging situations
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Information on carers’ assessments and your rights under the Care Act
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Support with your own wellbeing
Join our Carers Network - EEEC
We run a carer Experts by Experience Collaboration (EEEC) group. It’s open to any family member or carer of someone supported by the EIIP team.
You can:
- Share your views and help improve services
- Join in person, online or by phone, whatever works for you
- Review materials, co-produce new resources, or contribute to peer-led content
If you are interested in joining the EEEC, please email or call the relevant team. You can also let the allocated care co-ordinator know, and we will contact you with further information.
A carer’s perspective
“When our son became unwell at university, it was an incredibly frightening time. We didn’t know where to turn or how to help.
Once the Early Intervention in Psychosis team got involved, everything changed. They took the time to listen - to him, and to us.
The family sessions helped us understand what he was going through and gave us ways to rebuild trust and communicate again.
I honestly don’t know where we’d be without them.”
“Having family sessions helped us talk about things we’d been avoiding.”
“It really helped to understand what was going on, rather than just guessing.”
“They reminded me I’m important too.”
Need someone to talk to?
We’re here for you. Whether you’re a parent, sibling, partner or friend, if someone you care about is experiencing psychosis, you don’t have to cope alone.