Resources

Curated resources to help your family navigate mental illness

Featured resources

YouTube video
Brené Brown illustrates the difference between sympathy and empathy and highligh...
3rd-party resource
Research summary from NIDA on cannabis and psychosis.
SAMHSA Online guide
A guide for family and friends looking to help their loved one who is suicidal

All resources

Worksheet
Help us spread the word about Akin to providers, advocacy organizations and othe...
Sarah R. Watchko, Esq. Worksheet
Sarah's extensive experience and expertise in this field make her the perfect re...
Akin Worksheet
Family planning checklist for discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization.
External resource
Straightforward guidelines and steps to support a person who may be suicidal.
Akin Worksheet
Akin's 7-step problem solving worksheet.
SAMHSA Online guide
A guide for family and friends looking to help their loved one who is suicidal
Recovery Stories YouTube video
Lorna shares her story of recovery with bipolar disorder. She shares the importa...
Cecilia YouTube video
In this video Cecilia shares her experience living with schizophrenia and advice...
Kody Green YouTube video
YouTube channel 'schizophrenicHippie' about navigating life with schizophrenia. ...
Bethany Yeiser YouTube video
(8m 23s) At TedxCincinnati, Bethany Yeiser presents her inspiring story of recov...
SMI Adviser App
App from SMI Adviser that allows users to create a digital Psychiatric Advance D...
Oregon DHS External resource
An example of a Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) that can be completed by an ...
SMI Adviser YouTube video
Introduction to the SMI Adviser crisis planning app.
Akin Worksheet
Numbers to know for crisis situations and for finding local mental health resour...
Coursera External resource
Intensive course which explore the social context and historical evolution of ho...
Al Powers & Phil Corlett 3rd-party resource
Podcast from leading psychosis researchers Powers, Corlett, and Mathys explainin...
PBS Article
Nova article describing some of the latest research about hearing voices (Powers...
Mental Health America (MHA) 3rd-party resource
Brief helpful information to understand mental health (see flowchart on bottom t...
SAMHSA 3rd-party resource
Brief and helpful information about living with SMI including personal videos an...
APA Article
Research summary explaining why genetic testing to tailor psychiatric prescripti...
SAMHSA Article
A helpful alternative way to think about stress-vulnerability factors in causing...
Stephen Wood Article
A summary of Howes & Murray’s scientific research on the dopamine hypothesis and...
NAMI Video
NAMI’s video resources organized by specific diagnoses.
SAMHSA / SMI Adviser YouTube video
Less than 2 minute video from SAMHSA / SMI Adviser describing what a PAD is, how...
Baron L. Miller, J.D. Book
Baron Miller is an attorney who has navigated legal and healthcare systems as a ...
National Empowerment Center Online directory
Peer respites are voluntary, peer-run, short-term overnight programs. Where avai...
Don't call the police Online directory
Database of local and national community-based alternatives to calling the polic...
NAMI Policy summary
Summary about disability income and benefits as they relate to mental health.
SAMHSA Online guide
Helpful guidelines and information about how and why to complete a PAD. See also...
Mental Health America (MHA) Article
MHA’s summary statement of relevant ethical rights of people with mental illness...
MH Self Help External resource
High quality listing of documents and guides for understanding and completing Ps...
HHS Policy summary
HHS website describes HIPAA rules and regulations that cover privacy and securit...
U. Mass Med School Article
The tip sheet is written for the parents and care-givers of young adults with se...
NAMI 3rd-party resource
Curated fact sheets designed to guide unpaid friends, family and neighbors who c...
Family Caregiver Alliance YouTube video
Generally aimed at other types of caregivers and supporters, but this video and ...
NAMI, Kingdon & Turkington Article
Information and techniques to communicate about and despite psychosis. Brief art...
3rd-party resource
Entirely peer-led and operated approach to supporting people experiencing voices...
Ellen Forney Book
Illustrated memoir that provides insights into lived experience of mania and its...
D. Miklowitz Book
Book shares proven strategies for managing bipolar or supporting a loved one.
BBC Article
A reasonably even-handed report following stories of several families and the co...
NAMI, Dr. Xavier Amador 3rd-party resource
Amador’s book and LEAP method for communicating and collaborating effectively wi...
Psychiatry.org 3rd-party resource
Relatively brief summary of mental health stigma in society and in ourselves, br...
Mayo Clinic Article
Introduces cognitive behavioral therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), an evidence-based ...
Sleep Health Foundation, AU Article
Simple summary of the broad relationships between sleep, psychosis, and other pr...
Mind.org, UK Article
Nicely designed information and advice about sleep and mental illness.
Oxford Univ YouTube video
(2m 30s) Brief animated summary of circadian rhythms, the relationship with ligh...
The Guardian Article
Brief FAQ on sleep myths from a reputable researcher at Oxford University.
Harvard Magazine Article
Article summarizes programs of research around sleep and memory and how sleep an...
Matthew Walker, PhD Book
A best-seller that reveals the surprising science of sleep including how sleep i...
KC Davis YouTube video
Therapist KC Davis provides insight into the challenges faced carrying out daily...
Akin Worksheet
Remember key phrases for empathizing and understanding in a conversation
Akin Worksheet
This guide will walk your through step by step of collecting the information you...
Akin Worksheet
Quick reference tips for how and why to express positive emotion in a conversati...
Akin Worksheet
Quick tips for how to constructively express negative emotions and use "I statem...
Akin Worksheet
Helpful reminders for how to make successful requests in a conversation
Henry Ammar YouTube video
(10m 26s) Interesting TED talk about levels of relationships and the risks of “l...
Therapist Aid 3rd-party resource
One page handout about patterns of boundaries.
Akin Worksheet
Fill out this worksheet to practice the DEAR method for making requests
Brené Brown Video
(5m 40s) Dr. Brown briefly answers questions about the difficulty of setting bou...
Andy Dunn Book
Memoir of mental illness and entrepreneurship through the momentum and liabiliti...
3rd-party resource
After a trauma, it’s normal to experience flashbacks, anxiety, and other uncomfo...
External resource
This guide has been developed as a resource for counselors to work through impor...
YouTube video
YouTube video from person who is both crisis call counselor and service user.
Article
Suicide hotlines can provide free and confidential support 24/7. Here's what to ...
3rd-party resource
Abuse is sadly common. If it “crosses a line” and your health and safety are aff...
Worksheet
Phrases to kick start a conversation with active listening.
YouTube video
Brené Brown illustrates the difference between sympathy and empathy and highligh...
App
Easy to use iPhone app which helps build simple wellness habits such as breathin...
Policy summary
Summary of legal codes sorted by state regarding involuntary commitment for ment...
3rd-party resource
Well-illustrated summary of what causes psychosis experiences and related mental...
3rd-party resource
Statistics and definitions on severe mental illness and mental illness overall i...
3rd-party resource
Research summary from NIDA on cannabis and psychosis.
3rd-party resource
NPR story about cannabis laws, summarizes mental health risks.
YouTube video
Presents a unique way to think about and support people with substance use probl...
Worksheet
Fill out this template to help your family prepare for crisis and keep everyone ...
3rd-party resource
Briefly discusses WRAP, PAD, and Conservatorship. Includes 4 minute informationa...
3rd-party resource
Designed for individuals. Includes detailed descriptions for each section.
3rd-party resource
WRAP is an evidence-based relapse prevention and recovery planning process typic...
3rd-party resource
3rd-party resource
3rd-party resource
3rd-party resource
Learn about 988 and when/how to use crisis calls.
YouTube video
Description: “Elyn Saks, Debra Lampshire and Paris Williams are all world expert...
YouTube video
Young woman describes her long-term struggles with mental health, including suic...
YouTube video
Debra Lampshire, international leader in psychosocial approaches to psychosis an...
YouTube video
Kyra and her mother share her story of combat-related trauma and suffering throu...
YouTube video
Four young people introduce their stories of recovery during struggles with psyc...