If one of your family members has been diagnosed with mental illness, you can play an invaluable role by helping him or her find appropriate mental healthcare. One of the first things you may want to do is locate a primary mental healthcare provider – usually a psychiatrist – to oversee your loved one’s care.

How do you choose a psychiatrist? If you have friends in the medical profession, or a relationship with a current healthcare provider, ask him or her for recommendations.  You may be able to get in touch with other families who have a relative with mental illness through a support group or community center.  Your primary care doctor may be able to direct you to mental health professionals, as well as resources such as mental health clinics that provide family education or support programs.

Organizations such as the National Mental Health Association, the National Institute for Mental Health, and the Alliance for the Mentally Ill also provide information on how to choose mental health professionals, as well as information on:

• Communicating with mental health professionals
• What to expect on a first visit
• The types of questions you should ask during  a visit

Ideally, you should choose a psychiatrist or mental health professional that is familiar with the condition or conditions your loved one has been diagnosed with. You will also want to choose someone who shows interest in the illness, exhibits empathy in working with you and your loved one, and is open to concerns, observations, and conversation. "The first thing that a family member needs to do is gain a fairly good understanding of the diagnosis," says Stephen Marder, MD, director of Mental Health at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Doing this will help you communicate your loved one’s needs, symptoms, and behaviors to your healthcare professional.

Here are a few tips to help you manage your search:

Call ahead. Spend a few minutes talking with providers on the phone. Ask about their approach to working with patients, their philosophy on healthcare and caring for those with mental illness, and whether or not they have a particular specialty or concentration. If you feel comfortable, the next step is to make an appointment.

Be persistent. If for any reason you are not comfortable talking with a professional on the phone or meeting with him or her, keep searching until you find someone you like.

Be prepared. Patients with mental illness may not be able to volunteer much information during an assessment. Be prepared with information and questions for the doctor. Know your family's medical history and know which medications your family member has been taking. You may also want to ask questions about medication, side effects, long-term health risks, and hospitalization. It's a good idea to jot down your questions ahead of your appointment time – and bring a pad of paper and a pen to take notes.

How can you identify a competent and effective clinician? Here are some reasonable expectations of proper psychiatric care. A mental health clinician should:

• Understand the condition and  that it is a biologic brain disorder
• Take a detailed history of your loved one
• Screen for problems that may be related to other possible illnesses
• Be knowledgeable about psychotropic  medications
• Follow up thoroughly and regularly
• Adjust treatment when necessary
• Review medications regularly
• Be interested in the patient's entire welfare and make appropriate referrals for aftercare, housing, social support, and financial aid
• Explain clearly what is going on
• Involve the family in the treatment process  

When visiting a mental illness professional for the first time, you should ask the doctor as many questions about the condition and living with someone with the condition as possible. "If you come away from a visit dissatisfied, I would suggest contacting an advocacy group such as the Alliance for the Mentally Ill," said Dr. Marder.

Remember, having a good relationship between you, your loved one, and his or her mental illness professional will help ensure better communication!