More and more people are starting to realize the importance of mental health. But, while there is more understanding about the importance of mental health issues, there are still some negative stigmas that surround mental health and keep people from getting the help they need. Fortunately, educating people who love those with mental health issues is helpful to combat the stigmas that are associated with mental health issues. Mental health education is a crucial part of mental health treatment for families of people struggling with symptoms of mental health issues. At Yellowbrick, we offer family counseling and education for loved ones of individuals in our care so that every member of the family can benefit from treatment.

Families are the Best Support Systems for People in Treatment and Recovery for Mental Health Issues

Family members are the backbone of our lives. They’re the people who have raised us up to be the people we are, to have the beliefs we have, and who help to shape our worldviews. Family is who we turn to when we need help and who we talk to about our problems. Also, they can provide us with helpful advice, offer us reassurance, and tell us about their own personal experiences to help guide us to be our best selves. So, they’re often the most beneficial people to have as a support system during mental health treatment and recovery. Educating family members on mental health issues, their symptoms, how they affect their loved ones, setting healthy boundaries, treatment, and more can help make the family the most optimal source of support for people healing from mental health issues.

Normalizing Mental Health Issues and Breaking Stigmas

It can be hurtful for people with mental health issues to have families who don’t support them. This often happens when family members believe in harmful myths and stigmas that surround mental health issues. Or, undermine the effects of mental health issues in a loved one’s life. But, providing education about mental health issues and a loved one’s specific diagnosis can help family members truly understand what their loved one with a mental health issue is living with. And, learn how to help them without judgment so that they can have the supportive network of trusted individuals that they deserve.

Being an Advocate for Your Loved One With Mental Health Issues

Oftentimes, people who are experiencing mental health issues may not be able to advocate for themselves. This may be due to a number of reasons like believing they do not deserve help, not being able to communicate their needs, being afraid that others won’t believe them, etc. So, it can be helpful for individuals struggling with mental health issues to have an advocate that can help them in times of crisis. This may involve reaching out to seek care, discussing treatment planning with providers, and more. During education and counseling at Yellowbrick, families of people in our care are provided with information regarding how to be a good advocates for their loved one who is diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

Family services at Yellowbrick allow families and people living with mental health issues to get the counseling and education they need to provide each other with the most optimal support.