Involve a loved one or get involved as a loved one in providing care and services to a person living with a mental disorder

A loved one’s involvement can take different forms depending on the person’s wishes, preferences, needs and capacity. It may consist, in particular, of:

• going to an appointment with the person
• exchanging information with care providers
• being included as a real partner of the care and services team, while respecting the person’s wishes
• being equipped by obtaining the information and support needed to support the person and adapt to the situation
• being considered and having your experience, role and knowledge recognized

The loved ones of a person who is living with a mental disorder are their support network, their social net. They can be a family member, a friend or any other person they consider significant. These people will be able to help them communicate their needs, voice their point of view during meetings and assist them during their journey. Their presence and support can have a significant positive effect on their recovery. They can also be recognized and supported as informal and family caregivers.

Having loved ones involved in the recovery process of a person living with a mental disorder has been shown to have many positive effects, both for the person and for the loved ones:

• improvement of the person’s well‑being and quality of life
• decrease in the number of relapses and hospitalizations
• early reporting of warning signs of relapse, early request for help and faster support (because loved ones know the person and detect the signals)
• decrease in the psychological distress of loved ones
• better response to the information and support needs of loved ones
• better understanding of the mental disorder by loved ones
• positive impact on family dynamics and on the relationship with the person

It is up to the person who is living with a mental disorder to identify who they want to have take part in their care and services and the limits of their participation.

At all times, the loved ones’ involvement must respect the wishes of the person who is receiving mental health support, but also that of the loved one and their capacity. It is about maintaining the quality of the relationship. In accordance with the rules of confidentiality, the person determines what information can be shared and with whom.

If you have a mental disorder and you want one of your loved ones to support you, get involved in your journey or be kept informed by your care provider of what is happening, you can:

• identify one or more significant people you would like involve
• talk to them and invite them to consult this page to understand their role
• ask to be accompanied during your appointments or your discussions with care providers: it is a right
• tell your care provider that you would like one or more loved ones be part of your recovery process
• discuss with your care provider to identify what information about your health may or may not be shared with your loved one

To support a person who is living with a mental disorder or to find support for yourself, you can:

• talk with the person about your desire to talk with the care providers and explain why. Being transparent with the person is important to maintain a relationship of trust with them
• offer to go to their appointments with them: they have the right to have someone with them
• respect their rights and wishes
• communicate your need for help, information and support to care providers. You do not need the person’s consent for this
• give information to the person’s care providers (talk to them, write to them). You do not need the person’s consent for this

If you are close to someone who is receiving mental health support, assisting them during their recovery and during meetings with their care provider means that your experience, knowledge and role can be considered more. You know the person, their history and their usual behaviour, for example. Care providers can also provide you with tools to better understand and adapt to the situation. They can also refer you to support resources for loved ones. Finally, if the person agrees, you can also become a partner of the care and services team by playing an active role at different times.

Please note: care providers must always respect the person’s wishes and the right to confidentiality. So they may not be able to talk to you about the person or the services they are receiving. However, they can listen to you, hear what you have to say about them, give you general information and offer you support or refer you to family support resources as needed.

If you are concerned for your safety or that of your loved one right now, call 911.

If you or a loved one is thinking about suicide, go to the page Recognizing signs of distress and preventing suicide. You will find information on the help and resources available.

If you do not know whom to contact to share your observations or non‑urgent concerns, you can call Info‑Social 811, option 2. You can use this telephone consultation service to reach a psychosocial intervention professional quickly to get support.

You can also find a crisis centre (in French only) near you to obtain free and specialized crisis intervention services for a loved one or for yourself.

There are many resources available throughout Québec to support the loved ones of people with mental disorders. Go to the Support for the family members and friends of people living with a mental disorder section of the page “Mental health help and support resources” to learn more or find a community organization in your region that assists the loved ones of people who are living with a mental disorder on the website CAP santé mentale (in French only).

Also, to find information or to obtain mental health care or services, go to the page Finding help and support for mental health.