To live close to a person with a serious
mental illness affects one's whole life. Many relatives explain
that they  themselves
have become "different". Most of them have also not received
any help for their own part.
The relatives make several propositions how
their situation could be improved. Many of them want some kind of
supporting contacts, partly to get more energy, and partly to get
advice about helping the sick person in the most effective way.
To get stronger themselves, some relatives want individual talks,
while  others
wish to participate in groups of people with similar experiences.
Among the wishes are also economical compensation and a special
consult that the relatives can call to get information about laws
and rules, discuss possible maltreatments, and talk about their
situation. In order to be able to support the ill person in a better
way, the relatives want information about diagnosis, care, and rehabilitation,
and about what decisions are made concerning the treatment and other
matters. Moreover, the relatives wish to be consulted. Among the
desires are also an improved communication with the people who make
decisions, and a better cooperation between the different authorities
involved.
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