Often family or friends are the first to respond to a crisis for a loved one and are relied upon for support both before and after a mental health crisis. Organizations such as National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) provide guidelines for how to respond to a mental health crisis, including how to navigate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), knowing how to find available resources within the community, and how to navigate the justice system (both civil and criminal).
Learn More About Family and Peer Support
- Department of Health and Human Services, When can I obtain treatment information about my loved one?
- National Institute of Mental Health, Help for Mental Illnesses
- Mental Health America, Peers: Their Roles and the Research
- Treatment Advocacy Center, Family and Loved Ones
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Family-to-Family
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI In Our Own Voice