You can get referrals from your family doctor, clergy or local Mental Health America office (which also may provide mental health care services) and crisis centers.

Where can a person with mental illness live?

Licensed care homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes provide highly structured living for people with severe mental illness, disability or medical complications. With access to staff 24-hours a day and meals provided, residents usually pay most of their income except for a small allowance.

Who do you go to if you have a mental illness?

Psychiatrist: These are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs as part of their treatment plan. They are also trained in psychotherapy, a form of counseling or “talk therapy.”

Can I live a normal life with mental illness?

While it was once thought to be a disease that only worsened over time, schizophrenia is now known to be manageable thanks to modern treatment practices. With a dedication to ongoing treatment, often beginning with intensive residential care, most individuals can live normal or almost-normal lives.

What is considered a serious mental illness?

Serious mental illness (SMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

Where do schizophrenics live?

It is estimated that approximately 28% of schizophrenics live independently, 20% live in group homes, and about 25% live with family members. Sadly, the remaining 27% percent are either homeless, living in jails or prisons, or living in hospitals or nursing homes.