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I have learn, listen, and link up.
So, the first is to learn about what schizophrenia is. Know that it is a disorder of brain development,
that it's genetic, that it's nobody's fault, and what the symptoms are, what are the signs
of relapse, what are the things that trigger schizophrenia. And to learn for that particular
person what their needs are, and what they can do to self-manage their condition.
So, they may want to get involved with their treatment providers, as well, to be a support
to them and to learn from their treatment providers what's going to be most helpful
So, that's learning.
The second is listening. People with schizophrenia sometimes feel very alone. They may feel paranoid
that other people are out to get them. After years of withdrawing from society, sometimes
they just don't know how to reach out. And so, being there for them, listening to them,
hearing them, even if what they're talking about doesn't necessarily make sense or you
don't agree with it, I think feeling heard is something we all want, and helps someone
with schizophrenia.
So, that's learning and listen, and the third is link up. So, there are many organizations
that have people who help others with schizophrenia. And so, one of those is the National Alliance
of the Mentally Ill, and that's NAMI.org. You can look them up online. They have many
groups for people who have schizophrenia or people who are living with, or want to help
people who have schizophrenia. So, you can learn more and get support for yourself through
this organization.
The most important thing though, is that you need to believe in the ability of the person
to recover. And so, believing that they have the capacity to achieve their dreams and goals,
and find their path to health and living a productive life, believing in them so that
you can support them through that process, is key.