Support and Information for Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Bipolar Disorder 2014 VOLUME 11 / ISSUE 4

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1 Mental health recovery is an ongoing process, not a single outcome. Each person s recovery experience is unique. By making a personalized, inclusive plan for managing a mental health condition, a person has the best chance of living a meaningful life. Support and Information for Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Bipolar Disorder 201 VOLUME 11 / ISSUE

2 THE TOPIC CONNECTING TO CARE This issue will help prepare you to connect to care and transition smoothly between mental health treatment settings. is a way to participate in and take control of your mental health recovery journey. When you receive mental health treatment and services continuously, you are more likely to stay healthy and lead the life you want. Many different supports and programs are available to help you, but sometimes it s hard to know where to begin and how to find them. Moving between care settings like getting out of the hospital can be especially stressful, so it s important to connect to care at times like these. Being informed, finding supports and treatments YOU feel comfortable with, and having a plan in place will empower you to get the most out of your treatment and recovery. For more information, visit

3 CONNECTING TO CARE ISSUE 3 SNAPSHOTS Family Psychoeducation Helps. Support programs that educate families about schizophrenia and offer problem-solving and communication skills training have been shown to reduce relapse and help improve the well-being of people living with serious mental health conditions and the people who care for them. Transition Checklist Here are some suggestions that may help you transition between care settings and support your recovery journey. Ask the discharge planner to schedule a doctor s appointment for you once you are out of the hospital. Don t forget to attend! Make sure you have services in place, including a safe and comfortable home. Think about your goals and how taking medication might help you to reach them. Take your medication regularly, as prescribed by your doctor. Connect with members of your support network who can help you during transitions and in your recovery journey. Talk to your treatment team about questions or concerns you might have about your medication, and if helpful, ask for tips to help remember to take it. Keep your medication and treatment history and preferences ready to share with your treatment team.

4 CHOICES IN RECOVERY CONNECTING TO CARE and my recovery Why Connect to Care? Living with a serious mental health condition can be challenging and difficult to manage alone. Connecting to treatment and services can help. STAY HEALTHY People with a mental health condition who participate in regular treatment services are more likely to take their medication and less likely to relapse or be hospitalized. Getting Started Before you connect to care, it can be helpful to think about: n What services have you used before? n Did they help? n Who can help you learn more about or find services? n What types of services do you prefer? ACHIEVE GOALS Seeking support services can help you build and keep relationships and develop new life skills (like communication and selfcare). These new skills can help you return to school or work and lead a healthy, empowered, and productive life. Individual or group? Professional or peer? Supported or independent? For more information, visit

5 CONNECTING TO CARE ISSUE 5 Available Mental Health Recovery Supports and Services A wide variety of treatments and services can help you in your recovery journey. INDIVIDUAL CARE Psychiatrists/Doctors can work with you to find medication and other treatments that can help you achieve your recovery goals. Learning to understand and better manage your mental health condition and improving your overall wellness also can be important to reaching your goals. Therapists (Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors) can help you learn about your condition and symptoms, work with you to figure out what life goals are most important for you, and give you an opportunity to talk about your feelings, your life, and your recovery-related concerns. OPTIONS Case Managers work with you to create your recovery plan and help you stay on track. They can help you find and use other resources and coordinate your mental health care. SKILLS TRAINING Supported Employment can help you get job training, learn specific work skills, find work, and offer support services that help you stay employed. Social Skills Training teaches skills that help you live more independently, communicate better, and be able to do activities of daily living (eg, laundry, cooking). SKILLS COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams offer comprehensive, 2-hour support from a group of healthcare professionals including nurses, psychiatrists, and other specialists. They can help you stay in your community and out of the hospital. The availability of ACT teams and the eligibility criteria vary by state. Contact your local community health center, advocacy organization, or treatment team for information about ACT teams in your area. Peer Counselors are specialists who live with mental health conditions and can share their knowledge and experience with you. They can provide support, encouragement, hope, and mentorship in individual and group settings. Support Groups are places where you can meet new people, share common experiences, learn from peers, and build social skills. Supported Housing is a program to help you find and get safe, stable, and supportive housing in your community.

6 6 CHOICES IN RECOVERY Choosing the Right Services for You Below is a list of some programs, services, and supports. Mark off the ones you have tried. Services and Supports Have Used Using Services and Supports Have Used Using Psychiatrist/Doctor Support Groups Therapy (psychologist, counselor, social worker) Supported Employment/ Job Training Medication Supported Housing Case Management Social Skills Training Assertive Community Treatment? Other Peer Support/ Counseling? Other Write down the services and supports you would like to know more about and which person on your treatment team or in your support network can help you find these types of services. Support or Service Who Can Help For more information, visit

7 CONNECTING TO CARE ISSUE 7 MAKING DECISIONS TOGETHER Partnering, participating, and communicating with your treatment team during the recovery process are all parts of making decisions together. Your recovery can be more focused on your needs, your preferences, and what is most important to YOU. CONNECTING TO CARE Finding Services That Meet Your Needs Your treatment team can help you consider care options and services that may be useful to you throughout your recovery journey. TRANSITION WITH CARE Getting continuous treatment and staying on your medication after you are discharged from inpatient care are important to your mental health recovery journey. Before you leave the hospital, make sure that you are connected to services in the community that can help you get housing and take your medication regularly. TAKE CHARGE Knowing more about your options can help you make informed decisions about your care and treatment. It s your right to get services and supports that can help your mental health recovery. OPTIONS OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C GET PEER SUPPORT Many advocacy organizations, clubhouses, and mental health centers offer support groups and individual counseling led by peer specialists, who have personal experience with a mental health condition and can support you in making important recovery decisions.

8 Strategies for Success ChoicesInRecovery.com Subscribe: Visit to subscribe to the electronic or hard-copy versions of the Choices in Recovery newsletter. Unsubscribe: By Mail: Send your complete name and address to: Choices in Recovery Newsletter Ansonia Station P.O. Box New York, New York Electronically: Visit newsletter/optout- -validation Upon receipt, we will remove your information from our contact list within 30 days. Editorial Review: The Choices in Recovery newsletter receives editorial input and review from Dr. Ronald Diamond, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin and Medical Director for the Journey Mental Health Center. Dr. Diamond has been actively involved in the community-based treatment of people with serious and persistent mental health conditions for more than 30 years. Dr. Diamond is compensated for editorial support provided to the Choices in Recovery newsletter by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. n Medication can help manage your symptoms so you are better able to participate in support programs and services and work toward the goals you have set. n Ask for support from your doctor, treatment team, and family and friends. They can help you to access services. To track your goals, visit ProgressWithMe.com is a free online educational resource that helps you set and track health and wellness goals developed by you and your treatment team. The information shared on Progress with Me should not be considered medical advice, and is not a substitute for your regular medical care. Even if you use Progress with Me to connect with your treatment team, you should still communicate and meet regularly with all healthcare professionals who help with your care. This newsletter is published by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is solely responsible for its contents. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. December