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Psychosis · Longer term

This has become part of everyday life

Support can include treatment, ordinary routines, relationships and physical health. It should not all sit with one friend or relative.

Ask what support includes the familyNICE says family intervention should be offered to families who live with or are in close contact with a person with psychosis or schizophrenia.

Ask about family intervention by name

Family intervention is a structured form of support involving the person and people close to them where practical. NICE says it may include education, problem-solving and crisis-management work, delivered over several sessions.

Ask the care coordinator, Early Intervention in Psychosis team or psychiatrist whether it is available and how to access it. Availability and local delivery may vary.

Source: NICE
NICE guideline CG178 and NICE quality statement on family intervention.

Support daily life without taking over

Rethink advises setting boundaries and building independence through small, agreed goals. That might mean one meal, one form, a short walk or attending one appointment, depending on what the person wants and can manage.

Continue ordinary invitations without making attendance a test. Reduced motivation, withdrawal and difficulty starting tasks may be part of the person's mental-health problem, but a professional should assess what is causing a change.

Source: Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink: responding to unusual behaviour and supporting independence.

Keep treatment questions with the team

NICE says treatment may include antipsychotic medication, cognitive behavioural therapy and family intervention. Decisions about medicine, side effects, missed doses or changes belong with the person and their clinician.

You can help by writing down questions, attending if the person wants you there and reporting side effects or changes that the team has asked you to watch for.

Sources: NHS and NICE
NHS psychosis treatment and NICE guideline CG178.

Ask about physical-health checks

NICE recommends regular physical-health monitoring for people with psychosis or schizophrenia. Once monitoring has moved to primary care, the guideline says it should happen at least annually.

You could offer help with booking, transport or a list of physical symptoms, if the person wants that support.

Source: NICE
NICE recommendations on physical health.

Plan for changes without watching constantly

Use a shared crisis plan for the person's own warning signs, helpful responses, service contacts and preferences. Review it after a crisis or a change in care.

Make a crisis plan

What to avoid saying

  • “You are lazy.” Ask what is making the task difficult and agree one smaller step.
  • “You were fine last week.” Changes can fluctuate; describe what you notice today.
  • “After everything I do for you...” Put the boundary into a clear request instead of using guilt.
Source: Rethink Mental Illness
The examples apply Rethink's advice on small steps, independence, boundaries and continued connection.
They will not accept helpSupport for youThe long haul

Here for Someone is an independent information project. It is not a helpline or medical service. This page organises public guidance from the organisations linked beside the relevant information; it has not been clinically reviewed by Here for Someone.

Sources checked: 26 August 2026

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