Frequently asked questions

If you have an urgent question, or have one that’s not covered here, or would like more information, please call the National Advice Line on 0845 456 0455.

If you have other non-urgent questions, you could try posting on the Rethink discussion forum under the siblings section or email us at siblings@rethink.org.

1. I've been told my brother has a mental illness, what does this mean?
2. My sister used to be really outgoing and good fun but two years ago she had an episode of psychosis and ended up in hospital. Since then she's become really withdrawn - what can I do to help?
3. My sister experiences delusions and although I know they are real to her I find it difficult to explain to our friends and relatives, what could I say?
4. My brother is acting really weird - he either sleeps for days or is really hyper and getting really carried away over something. Why is he like this?
5. My stepbrother has been told he is bipolar - what does this mean?
6. My sister is recovering from schizophrenia and we're both really keen to help other people - particularly the brothers and sisters whose lives can also be turned upside down even though they aren't the ones who have the illness. What can we do?
7. My brother has just been diagnosed with schizophrenia, what are the chances of me developing it as well - and what about my children?
8. I have a diagnosis of severe mental illness and I know that I have done some weird things in the past; but now I have good medication and support and am getting my life back together. However my younger brother (he's 14) gets teased and bullied at school because of me. What can I do to help him?
9. My half sister has schizophrenia and is in hospital again - this is the third time this year. Will she ever get better?
10. My sister, who has severe mental illness, has tried to commit suicide twice and I'm scared she'll succeed one day. Is there anything I can do?
11. Even though my brother has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and is well known by the local mental health agencies we always struggle to get help when we see a crisis looming up. It often feels like we have to wait until it really goes wrong before anyone responds, is there anything we can do?
12. My sister was recently sectioned under the mental health act and was taken into hospital. I don't really understand what this means or what her rights are. Can you help?