This study aimed to better understand what it means for a family to live with mental illness, seeking to identify adaptive resources. It is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research that was carried out at a Psycho-Social Care Center in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from June to July of 2005. This sample was comprised of 10 family members of people who have a mental illness. Data analysis was carried out via ordering, classification, and final analysis. The results point out the difficulties the family has in handling crises; the guilt they feel due to the illness; the loneliness and abandonment felt when the first symptoms appear; and feelings such as fear, sadness, shame, and anger; as well as affection and care present. I conclude that providing information support for family members would ease the feeling of guilt, as well as the family's need to be a co-participant during treatment and rehabilitation.
Mental health; Adaptation, psychological; Family