Young people are getting help for mental health issues now more than ever before. In a time when spreading awareness for mental health issues in the young adult community is more of a priority than at any other time in history, these leaps toward mental healing are a great success. However, there are still many young adults who suffer in silence or fear to get the help they need. Answering questions about young adult mental health can help spread further awareness of the help that is available, what young adults can do, and how loved ones can help.

Mental Health Issues and Young Adults

Young adults can struggle with symptoms of mental health issues whether they are already diagnosed or if they haven’t yet gotten help for mental health conditions. For some young people, the struggles that come with mental health issues have been something that they’ve been trying to manage for a long time. For others, getting a diagnosis may be a new and overwhelming thing that seems like an insurmountable task. And, for even more young people living with mental health issues, reaching out for help may not even seem to be an option as they may not know where to turn.

For any young person living with mental health issues, living with the symptoms of these issues can be debilitating to daily life. And, may make the future look bleak. However, it’s important for young people living with these issues and their loved ones to understand that help is available. And, that they are not alone in dealing with these issues.

Young Adult Mental Health Issues at This Time

It seems like more and more people are developing mental health issues – specifically young adults. And, this is true. Statistics show that young people today are more likely to develop mental health issues compared to earlier generations. This is due to a number of reasons including:

• isolation and loneliness that affects the younger generation
• the negative impacts that social media has on young people
• political and environmental issues that can impair mental health
• increased screen time and decreased time spent in nature

How do I Know if a Young Person in my Life is Struggling With Mental Health?

The surest way to know if a young person in your life is struggling with the impacts of a mental health condition is to receive a diagnosis from a mental health professional. But, before reaching out for professional help, it can be helpful to identify some of the more common signs and symptoms of mental health issues in young people. Some of the most common signs of mental health issues in young adults include:

• isolation and avoidance behaviors
• sleep deprivation or sleeping too much
• lack of hygiene
• weight fluctuations
• mood swings
• apathy for past interests
• substance use and abuse
• self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicidal thoughts
• issues with self-confidence and self-awareness
• decreased focus and concentration
• negative feelings like despair, sadness, stress, and anxiety

Getting Help for Young Adult Mental Health Issues

While many young people may not know where to get help for mental health issues, it’s important that the loved ones and family in their lives help them to see that there is hope and that treatment is effective. Specific treatment approaches designed around the particular needs of young adults are most successful for young people struggling with the impacts of mental health conditions.

Yellowbrick offers individualized care for young adults in Evanston, IL. We help young people who are living with a variety of different mental health issues including substance use disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, and more. Find out more about our services and how we can help from our website and reach out to us for more information.