Connected Care News | 25 October 2026
After Motivista, Korea's Affectus aims at schizophrenia's social side: reading faces and tone. Early trial, nothing available yet, but...
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Caregiver Resources for Serious Mental Illness
Guiding families through serious mental illness with knowledge & care
Practical, compassionate books and resources for families and caregivers navigating schizophrenia and related disorders — from crisis to everyday life.
About the Author
Turning lived experience into practical guidance
Nicole Drapeau Gillen is an author and caregiver advocate who has spent years helping families navigate the complex world of serious mental illness — particularly schizophrenia and related disorders.
Her books bridge the gap between clinical information and real-world caregiving, offering compassionate, practical guidance for the people who love someone with SMI.
- Author of 2 books focused on serious mental illness (SMI)
- Advocates for families navigating SMI
- Provides resources for all aspects of care around SMI
- Delivers technology information for care
- Committed to accessible mental health resources
Featured
Feature of the month
Each month I spotlight a technology, company, or topic that's moving the needle in mental health care.
Technology That Connects
Care & Improves Lives
What Caregiving in Silence Taught Me
Discover how innovative digital solutions are transforming mental healthcare through connected care. From mobile apps and telehealth to AI-powered tools, virtual reality, financial support resources, and online communities, technology empowers individuals with accessible, personalized, and continuous support throughout their mental health journey.
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Resources
Support beyond the book
A curated collection of tools, organizations, and guidance for caregivers of people with serious mental illness.
Crisis Support
What to do when your loved one is in crisis — guidance for navigating emergency situations. If you need help immediately, call 211, a national hotline: https://211.org/
Mental Health Apps
Coming soon! A reviewed list of apps that can help with symptom tracking, medication reminders, and caregiver wellness.
Support Groups
Connecting with others who understand. Local and online groups for caregivers and family members. Learn more
Legal & Advocacy
Understanding mental health law, guardianship, and how to advocate for your loved one within the system.
Medication Resources
Plain-language guides to common antipsychotic medications, side effects, and what to discuss with psychiatrists.
Caregiver Self-Care
What to do to keep yourself supported, as a caregiver. How to navigate complex situations, and get your own support.
The Books
Practical guides for caregivers
Written with compassion and grounded in research — for the families who show up every day.
Available Now on Amazon
Schizophrenia & Related Disorders: A Handbook for Caregivers
A compassionate, practical guide for families navigating a diagnosis of schizophrenia or related disorders — from the first crisis to long-term caregiving strategies.
- Understanding symptoms and diagnosis
- Navigating the mental health system
- Crisis planning and safety
- Taking care of yourself as a caregiver
- Free supplemental resources included
Free Resource Guide From Connected Care
Connected Care: A Practical Guide to Technology for Serious Mental Illness
A forward-looking guide to using apps, telehealth, and digital tools to support your loved one’s mental health care — and protect your own wellbeing.
- Mental health apps for tracking symptoms
- Telehealth options and how to use them
- Digital tools for medication management
- Online communities and peer support
- Protecting privacy and digital safety
The Book:
Schizophrenia & Related Disorders: A Handbook for Caregivers
$ 21.95
You can buy the paperback book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in print format; and for $9.95 on Kindle on Amazon.
$ 21.95
This is your actionable book, equipping you with the tools and guidance needed to offer the unwavering support your loved one deserves. With clear steps and compassionate insights, you'll find a lifeline in your caregiving jouney.
$ 19.99
There are thousands of apps, Al tools and digital resources that could help your loved one — and almost no roadmap for finding them. Connected Care cuts through the noise with honest practical guidance on the technologies that can make a real difference.
Testimonial
Hear from Our Satisfied Readers The Joy Our Books Bring
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
5 Star Reviews from our book reader
MD, co-author of MEANINGFUL RECOVERY
“This guide is a must-read for caregivers of people with a severe mental illness. It is a fast read, making complicated matters easy to understand. It is a valuable resource for families as well as mental health professionals.”
President and Co-founder of the CURESZ Foundation
"This book provides a clear and compassionate roadmap for caregivers navigating serious mental illness. It bridges the gap between clinical understanding and real-life caregiving in a way that is both practical and empowering."
Mental Health Professional
This is a well organized book with a wealth of information. While I’ve been dealing with the subject manner for about 15 years, there is more info in here than I knew and I’ll tell you straight up that it’s very difficult to learn all of this info. Nicole has done us a HUGE service in putting this all in her book. Buy it, read it, re-read it, share it, donate copies to your local public libraries, public schools, and local psych facilities. You need this book and so do they! Thank you Nicole, this book is a Godsend.
Mental Health Professional
In summary, this book is a must-read for anyone involved in the care of someone with schizophrenia or related disorders. It is not only informative but also deeply supportive, making the caregiving journey a little less overwhelming.
Mental Health Professional
Newsletter
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- Early access to Connected Care when it launches
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- Tech news curated for SMI caregivers & clinicians
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Latest Blog
Discussions, Recommendations, & Inspiration for Our Community
The person who sees the most has the least say. Can technology change that?
A 15-minute appointment, a phone that notices three sleepless nights, and the privacy question I couldn't answer. My Medical...
The first prescription app for schizophrenia is here. Now comes the hard part.
Why treating negatives symptoms is so critical. And how technology may be the answer.
As Featured In...
Author and caregiver advocate Nicole Drapeau Gillen brings a family-centered perspective to serious mental illness: sharing practical guidance, highlighting gaps in care, and exploring how technology can better support individuals and the people who love them. Her books and insights have been featured in leading mental health publications, podcasts and public radio conversation.
Speaking & Recognition
Harvard Medical School · Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds
“Between the Appointment and the Crisis: Technology, Families, and the Space Beyond Your Training”
October 23, 2026. Grand Rounds presentation to psychiatry faculty, residents and clinicians.
Library of Congress
Both books have been accepted in the Library of Congress collection
Connected Care: A Practical Guide to Technology for Serious Mental Illness; &
Schizophrenia & Related Disorders: A Handbook for Caregivers
Podcast & Radio Conversations
Medical Centric Podcast
“Can Your Phone Catch a Crisis? AI, Apps and Schizophrenia Care”
How technology can help families and clinicians see what happens between appointments.
Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches
Return conversation: Nicole’s perspective as an author and caregiver advocate
OrangeSlices AI
“Beyond the Appointment: Technology’s Role in Mental Health”
How technology can help close gaps in support between appointments.
Jefferson Public Radio · The Jefferson Exchange
“When Mental Illness Is Diagnosed, and You Take the Patient Home”
The challenges families face after a diagnosis.
Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches
“What Do I Do Now? The Handbook for SZ Caregivers”
Practical guidance for families navigating schizophrenia caregiving.
Psych Central · Inside Schizophrenia“
Involuntary Treatment Options”
Caregiving and involuntary treatment in schizophrenia.
Finding Peace Beyond the Pain with Debbie Gail Zane
Guest appearance
Featured Coverage & Published Writing
W&M Alumni Magazine
Fall 2026 Book Roundup
Nicole’s books featured in the magazine’s fall roundup of new books.
KevinMD
Articles by Nicole Drapeau Gillen
20+ articles on serious mental illness, caregiving, AI and the evolving role of technology in mental healthcare.
Psychology Today
“Leave No One in the Waiting Room: Family and Mental Health”
Coverage of Nicole’s caregiving experience and the case for including families in mental healthcare.
Psychology Today
“A Field Guide for Schizophrenia?”
A look at Nicole’s handbook and its practical guidance for families navigating schizophrenia.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
“The Anxiety No One Diagnosed: The Caregiver”
A personal story bringing attention to the caregiver’s experience.
“If you have a loved one with serious mental illness, this book is a comprehensive guide to start you on your journey and accompany you along the way. It is filled with helpful information and resources. Get yourself a copy and keep it close at hand.”