Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
patticake101New Contributor
Hi I have a son of 26 who has. Been diagnosed with paranoid schizafrenia He has been in the public mental health unit for 2 months now and has changed his medication 3 times
He is so drugged up and 8 still don't think he is on the right meds
He has suffered for about 9 years I worry a lot about when he comes out of hospital as to how we will cope as a family any help or support groups in Perth
In response to: Schizafrenia
coffeegirlSenior Contributor
Hi @patticake101
It's always overwhelming to try and plan for discharge - particularly if you feel he's so unwell.
Do you have an indication of when he is going to come home?
Often finding the right medications can take months, so please don't lose hope. I'm not sure what you think about it, but I think it's really good that he's under supervision while they are trying to get the meds right.
Does your son realise he's unwell, or is he unable to recognise it?
In terms of support groups, ARAFMI WA is a helpful start. They are an organisation that are specifically for carers of people with mental health difficulties.
I think it's really proactive of you to think about how you and the family will manage on his return. The forums are a great bunch of people in similar situations - so I hope you continue to use the forums as one way of coping.
Are there any other members who've had to care for someone after hospitalisation? Any tips?
In response to: Schizafrenia
ArafmiNew Contributor
Hi patticake
It is often a scary thing when someone you love is diagnosed with a mental illness, you then enter an alien world with language you may not understand and everyone loses some control.
I work for Arafmi, an organisation throughout Australia working with carers who look after someone with a mental health illness. In WA we provide counselling with qualified counsellors - face to face or telephone. We are located in Perth, Whitfords, Midland, Rockingham, Mandurah, Fremantle, Broome, Canarvon & Port Hedland. In the city areas we run support groups, workshops and other supports. We also have Peer Workers & Advocates, a Youth Services Section which provide support for children aged 8 years up, all of which we use to suit an individuals requirements.
I would encourage you to ring and talk with one of our counsellors to assist you in providing you with support. Very often carers forget to look after themselves and you are so important in the life of the person you are caring for.
Please look at our website or call the office in your state - here in Perth it is 9427 7100 and we would be pleased to see what support we can offer you.
Remember you are not alone.
Arafmi
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
