Unfortunately, mental health disorders are not uncommon. In the United States alone, nearly one in five adults have a mental health condition at any given time. In 2020, this equated to almost 53 million adults. Additionally, more than one in four with mental health disorders also experience a co-occurring substance use problem. The prevalence of these conditions is alarming.
These statistics help us to understand the likelihood of ourselves or someone we love potentially struggling with their mental health or substance use throughout our lifetime. There is no question that having a loved one who is actively struggling with their mental health is overwhelming. However, knowing how to navigate the problem can be challenging, especially if your loved one does not see that they could benefit from treatment. Additionally, knowing how to best support your loved one as they begin treatment can be distressing.
Before you consider hosting an intervention for your loved one to receive the professional treatment they deserve, you may want to learn the basics about mental health and substance use. This can help you to have more compassion and understanding for your loved one as they attempt to find their footing in recovery. In turn, it will also help you reduce any judgment or negative responses you may have due to your loved one’s struggles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” It continues to explain that mental health is indefinitely important, beginning when we are born well throughout our adult lives. Similarly, an individual’s mental health can and does change over time.
It is essential to understand that poor mental health does not necessarily constitute a mental health condition. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that, in general, a mental health disorder is defined as a “mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder” that varies in impact, including no impairment to mild, moderate, and severe impairment. Some of the most common mental health disorders include:
No one cause for any of the mental health conditions listed above exists. Researchers have gathered that genetic and environmental risk factors can increase an individual’s risk of developing a mental health disorder. Some of these risk factors include:
When working to support your loved one, it is essential to become familiar with warning signs that may indicate a mental health disorder. Although every condition has unique symptoms, there are general and common warning signs of mental health disorders. These include:
Now that you have some background on mental health disorders and how they can develop, you may feel even more concerned for your loved one who is struggling with their mental health. You may notice that your loved one has experienced several risk factors or is exhibiting various warning signs. If this is the case, it may be time to surface your concerns.
Interventions motivate a loved one to seek support and treatment. After all, it is challenging for anyone to come to terms with a lack or loss of self-control. However, interventions must be intentional and compassionate to be successful.
As you make your intervention plan, work to bring together a group of individuals your loved one considers their most important friends and family members. You may also want to consider utilizing a mental health professional who can assist you during the planning process.
Since interventions are highly charged situations, it is vital to hold compassion as the highest priority throughout the planning process and while the intervention is held. When gathering information about your loved one’s condition, remember to address the facts as objectively as possible. Limit emotionally charged responses and opinions. Additionally, you may want to create some boundaries for your loved one if your loved one does not accept treatment as a result of the intervention. You can also consider suggesting specific treatment centers and programs that work best with your loved one’s current schedule.
Until the day of the intervention, do not let your loved one know what you are planning. Similarly, prepare for backlash and upset. Here is a list of suggestions for the intervention process:
Witnessing a loved one grappling with mental health issues can be extremely challenging, and the desire to help can feel overwhelming. When considering an intervention, it’s important to approach it with understanding and acknowledge that the individual must be willing to accept help. At SoCal Mental Health, our focus is on connecting you with treatment facilities that are experienced in handling a wide range of mental health conditions, including substance use disorder.
These facilities understand the complexities involved in convincing a loved one to seek treatment and can offer guidance on how to effectively organize an intervention. They provide support not just for the individual in need but also for families navigating this difficult journey. If you are looking for assistance in planning an intervention or need to find a suitable treatment center for a loved one, we can help you find the appropriate resources
