At times in our lives we may feel we have little control over challenging situations such as when a family member or friend is suffering from a mental illness. It is important to remember that the one area we may be able to control is our attitude toward a situation. Developing a positive attitude is an achievable goal and plays a significant role in the way individuals deal with potentially difficult situations.

Here are some tips you may find useful for developing positive attitudes:

1. Acknowledge the feelings evoked by the situation. Feelings are neutral, that is neither good or bad. Feelings are simply our emotional reaction to a situation.
   If we can accept out feelings we are better able to deal with them.
2. Recognise that you are not alone in your situation. In our society there is a high incidence of mental health problems and so numerous families are affected. Making contact with others who are in a similar situation helps us avoid feeling isolated and provide opportunities for getting support. ARAFMI provides this support through Share & Care groups.
3. Seek information about:
   The mental health problem.
   Treatment.
   Support services.
   The better educated we are about mental health problems, the more likely we are going to develop positive attitudes.
4. Strive for a sense of balance in your role as carer, that is a realistic understanding of what is possible and acceptable at this point in time.
   Sometimes talking to a professional counsellor can help you sort out the balance that is appropriate for you.
5. Utilise support - be that through individual support networks or through organizations such as ARAFMI. it is okay and healthy to ask for support from others. No one should feel they "have to go it alone"