Educate yourself. Talk with family members, attend educational programs, view quality videos, read books, contact organizations involved with mental health.  Dealing with the unknown can be more difficult than dealing with the disease. Become involved.  Get support from others with similar problems. Find professionals who involve families in their treatment plans for clients. Learn of available resources in your community for people with mental illness. Normalize your own life as much as possible. Develop outside interest and make time for them. Talk about the illness with your friends and relatives.  Help erase the misunderstanding that some people associate with mental illness. Do fun things! Laugh! Maintain meaningful relationships.