In addition to psychotherapy and medication, key steps to successful treatment for severe mental illness include assertive community treatment teams, supported employment, integrated treatment for mental illness and substance abuse, symptom self-management and family education and support.

Steps to Healing

• Talk to a health or mental health professional.
• Choose a treatment professional and a treatment approach with which you feel comfortable.
• Consider yourself a partner in treatment and be an informed consumer.
• If you are not comfortable or satisfied after 2 to 3 months, discuss this with your provider. Different or additional treatment may be recommended.
• If you experience a recurrence, remember what you know about coping with depression and don't shy away from seeking help again. In fact, the sooner a recurrence is treated, the shorter its duration will be.
• Give yourself time to heal and don’t blame yourself.
• Don’t accept negative thinking—you can be successful.

How to help someone experiencing mental illness

• Help him or her get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Encourage them to call their physician or schedule a consultation with a mental health professional.
• Encourage them to stay with the treatment and, if necessary, accompany them to appointments.
• Offer emotional support and be patient, affectionate and encouraging. Be a good listener, point out realities and offer hope.
• Do not judge him or her or accuse him or her of faking an illness or of being lazy.
• For individuals with depression, take small steps. Encourage him or her to set some small priorities or goals and do what they can. Allow him or her time to heal. Invite him or her on social outings but do not push them to undertake too much, too soon.