Do you have a loved one who is struggling with symptoms of mental health issues? While the choice to get help is solely that of someone who is living with a mental health issue, there are things loved ones can do to encourage their struggling loved one to get the help they need. Likewise, there are also things you can do as a loved one of someone who has chosen to get help through mental health treatment during their time in treatment to support their recovery.

Some things you can do to encourage a loved one who’s considering getting help through mental health treatment or is already active with a mental health treatment plan can include:

Be Honest With Your Loved One About How Their Mental Health Affects You

You may feel that it can be better to leave your opinions about a loved one’s mental health struggles to yourself. But, it can actually be helpful for loved ones to open up to people struggling with mental health issues about how their mental health issues may be affecting your life. For example, if your loved one is struggling with addiction, you should be open with how their actions that are driven by their addiction have affected your life. This can include whether or not they’ve manipulated you, stolen from you, lied to you, etc. And, how these actions have made you feel or negatively affect your relationship with them. But, you should offer these thoughts and feelings with words that come from a place of love. Finally, offer your opinions about them getting help and that you support them no matter what and will love them throughout their struggle so they understand that you are there to support them.

Give Them Information About How Treatment Can Help

If your loved one whos living with a mental health issue is considering getting help through treatment, providing them with helpful information about these resources can be assistive. Helpful information can include real examples of successful recovery stories from individuals who have been through treatment themselves, information about various services that are available, what to expect from the treatment process, and more. When individuals are given more education on treatment and what to expect, they may feel more comfortable with reaching out for help. And, actually following through with a treatment plan and having the best chance at establishing long-term care and mental wellbeing.

Remember That the Decision to Get Help is Entirely Your Loved One’s

The only person who can determine whether or not someone gets help for mental health issues is a person who is living with a mental health issue. It’s important that loved ones of people struggling with mental health issues understand and accept this fact. Pushing someone or giving someone an ultimatum to get help is often unsuccessful. Treatment and recovery is a challenge that requires acceptance, commitment, and endurance. Someone who is forced into treatment may not have the motivation that’s necessary to complete treatment and take what they’ve learned to apply concepts into daily life. So, remember that getting help for mental health issues isn’t something that you can decide – only your loved one.

Choosing Yellowbrick For Mental Health Treatment Services

Yellowbrick offers mental health treatment services to those who are committed to getting help for a variety of mental health issues. If you’re ready to take the steps toward getting the help you need to establish lifelong healing, find out more about our services from our website and reach out to us today.