Public mental health crisis assessment teams (sometimes called CAT teams) are trained mental health professionals linked to your local health service. In a crisis, you can call them to speak about your situation, treatment and symptoms.
If necessary, they can visit you or arrange follow-up with your own treatment team.
Ask your case manager/key worker for the phone number, and make sure you have it with you.
Help with work or study
People with schizophrenia can find it hard to stay in paid work. It can be very hard to look after yourself and meet employers’ expectations at the same time.
Programs may be available to help you get back into work or study. These could include training for work, or work programs (supported employment). Supported employment programs are very successful in helping people get and keep a job. These programs can help you find a suitable job or course of study, and then help you keep working.
Ask your case manager/key worker or psychiatrist if a program is available near where you live.
Help with living arrangements
Many people with schizophrenia have problems finding and keeping a suitable place to live.
Local services and support organisations can help – ask your health-care team or support worker for more information.
Help with social skills
Social rehabilitation programs can help you get back to mixing comfortably with other people.
Ask your case manager/key worker or psychiatrist if a program is available near where you live.
Group activities
If you are living with schizophrenia, it can help to take part in group activities. It is harder and slower to recover when you are lonely.
People in groups can benefit from each other’s experiences. They are also an opportunity to make new friends.
The friendly support you get from your group reminds you that you are not alone – other people have mental illnesses and are coping with many of the same problems as you.
Mental health workers or local community groups sometimes organise group activities for people with mental illness. These activities could help you:
- get reliable information
- learn how to cope with your mental illness
- be more active and keep fit
- make friends
- become more independent
- become more confident
- cope with problems
- with your study or work
- have fun
- feel less alone by sharing experiences with people who are also living with mental health issues.
Ask your case manager/key worker or psychiatrist if group activities are available near where you live.
Counselling
Talking to someone is an important part of treatment.
Your case manager/key worker and psychiatrist can provide general counselling and support during and after an episode of psychosis.
Support services
Internet and phone apps
The OnTrack Get Real program is an online treatment for people who are having odd experiences, and are worried they may be getting out of touch with reality. It is mainly for young people in the early stages of psychosis.
Mental health treatments on the internet work best when your psychiatrist is involved.
Some of the information about mental health on the internet is not correct or helpful. If you are not sure or can’t find what you are looking for, talk to your health-care team.