OnTrackNY teams collaborate with families of participants & graduates, including their chosen families, to better understand how to tailor services to meet each individual’s unique goals, needs, and preferences to support recovery.
Research has found that support from family and friends can lead to greater well-being, faster recovery, and stronger engagement in one's community.
OnTrackNY team members make themselves available to listen to your experiences and provide recommendations for supporting your loved one.
A note on participant privacy: OnTrackNY teams partner with participants to determine who to involve in their care. If adult participants (18 years or older) do not consent to involving others or sharing information, the team will honor that request. However, the team will continue to encourage participants to involve family members in their care, routinely assess changes in privacy preferences, and explore ways to support the family through other channels such as mental health education and family groups.
It’s really important to understand the program, and benefit from the program… The healing that [my son] has experienced has been the healing of our entire family.
Parent of OnTrackNY participant
Learn more their experience >
It can be an important first step to learn more about what these experiences are like, how it can feel, and how you can offer support. Becoming informed about what psychosis is, how it can feel, and how you can offer support can be an important first step. Sometimes, just asking your friend or loved one what they need or how you can best support them can go a long way.
Encourage your loved one to advocate for themselves while participating in their care. This may include being up front about how they’re feeling, sharing concerns, discussing medication side effects, and asking for help with things like accommodations for school or work, job or housing applications, or navigating insurance coverage. It may take some time for participants to feel comfortable sharing this kind of information with their team. If this is the case, you might ask your loved one if they’d like you to advocate with them and/or connect with the team on their behalf.
If you’re noticing changes in mood, behavior, or daily routines, such as sleeping or eating patterns, or if you’re worried about the safety of your loved one, let your OnTrackNY team know. The recovery journey is not a straight line and can sometimes include setbacks. It’s important to keep your team in the loop, so they can address any problems or adjust treatment plans accordingly.
If you or your loved one is currently working with an OnTrackNY team and needs immediate support, we recommend reaching out to your team. If you are unable to reach your team for any reason, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and let your OnTrackNY team know as soon as possible.
Recovery from early psychosis can take time. Staying calm, positive, and hopeful can help your loved one maintain determination. If you need help finding motivation or inspiration, consider getting involved with the OnTrackNY family community, where you can hear from other families going through similar experiences.
OnTrackNY has an entire community made up of and organized by current participants and graduates of OnTrackNY and their families. These groups collaborate on projects, join together for social events, and inspire one another along the recovery journey. Learn more about ways your family member can get involved and connect with others who have been through similar experiences. Or discover how you can get involved in the OnTrackNY family community.
Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the people you love. After all, the better you feel, the better you can support your loved one. Try to find a balance between your own needs and those of your family member – whether that means carving out a little time for yourself each day to do something that relaxes you, engaging in your own mental health therapy, or something else entirely.
Your local OnTrackNY team is available to help you and your family member navigate any questions or concerns about OnTrackNY, our services, your loved one’s care, and more. You can also learn about OnTrackNY and our services online, so you can help ensure your family member is getting the most out of their participation with OnTrackNY.
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This website is not monitored 24/7 and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please call or text 988.
Or, view free resources for immediate support.