May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means everyone should be working on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This includes people with young adult loved ones struggling with mental health issues. Part of eliminating stigmas that surround mental health is encouraging people to get help. But, getting help for mental health issues is something that a person has to decide to do for themselves. As a loved one of a young adult living with a mental health issue, there are things you can do to motivate and encourage them to seek the help they need.

Some of the ways you can encourage a young person in your life to get help for a mental health issue can include:

Being Accepting and Non-Judgmental

One of the most important things you can do to encourage a loved one to seek help for a mental health issue is to be accepting of them and work towards being non-judgmental. People living with mental health issues need supportive people in their lives who they can trust. This way, they can come to these people in times of crisis. Gaining trust from a young person in your life who is struggling with their mental health includes accepting them as who they are and even accepting the mental health issues they are facing. Furthermore, it involves not judging them for the things they are experiencing as a result of their mental illness like their emotions, thoughts, or certain behaviors. When a young person who is struggling with mental health trusts you, they may be more willing to listen to your advice about seeking help and consider this as an option moving forward.

Practice Active-Listening

Being there for your young adult loved one who is struggling with issues due to mental health disorders is essential for encouraging them to get help. You can do this by giving them a person to speak to when the symptoms of mental health issues are overwhelming. If a young person you love does come to you and trusts you, it’s vital that you practice active listening. This means allowing them to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings with you without you giving advice, interrupting them, or dismissing what they’re going through. Remember, when having a conversation about mental health issues with a young person, remain calm and don’t compare their issues to your own. Rather, encourage them to open up and validate their feelings. This can help to build trust in your relationship and also provide them with the crucial support they need to make the decision to get help.

Be a Positive Source of Encouragement

Let your loved one know that you are there for them whenever they need to speak with someone, especially during a crisis. And, remember to be positive and state factual information about how people with mental health issues can get better and learn how to manage symptoms of mental health diagnoses. Furthermore, to remain a positive influence on a young person’s life, you can offer to do positive things with them like cook them a healthy meal, go for a walk, or watch a movie together. Being a positive influence can help them to trust that you have their best interest in mind and that you are there for them when they need a helping hand.

State the Benefits of Support and Offer to Help Them Get It

While only your loved one can determine whether they need help or if they will accept it, you can encourage help by stating the facts – help does assist people who are living with mental health issues to find peace and healing. It can be helpful to let your young adult loved one know this.

Mental Health Help for Young Adults at Yellowbrick

If your young adult loved one is open to getting help through professional care, finding a provider that offers specific care geared toward young adults is beneficial in many ways. Yellowbrick offers outpatient programs and supportive housing for young people who are living with a wide range of mental health issues. Find out more about our services and our facility on our website.