Brothers and sisters may also have concerns about how mental illness affects their lives now, and how it may affect them in the future.
It is important that siblings are listened to and are provided with resources and guidance to help them in their own lives, and to help them support their brother or sister. We’ve put links here to the help and support on offer for siblings.
Sibling websites and online support networks:
Sibs
www.sibs.org.uk
Sibs is a UK charity supporting siblings of all ages who are growing up with, or who have grown up with, a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition.
They have a phone and email support service, as well as an online forum and a buddying service, and offer workshops for adult siblings for help with any adult sibling issue.
Visit website
Rethink
www.rethink.org
There are some Rethink siblings support groups – find out if there is a local sibling support group to meet with others living near you and to share experiences and advice.
Visit website
Useful Resources
A Siblings Guide to Psychosis – 1,015.29 KB
Canadian Mental Health Association – prepared by S Mulder and E Lines (2005)
A guide developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association providing information and resources for siblings. This includes topics such as:
Understanding Psychosis
Facing change: impacts on the family
Facing feelings
Facing the future
Download .pdf