If you, or a family member, needs help with a mental or substance use disorder, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, or text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U), or use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to get help. References and Relevant Resources Find Treatment
Where can I get help for mental health issues?
You may call them toll free at 1-800-950-NAMI or contact them through their website. Search here to find a Community Mental Health Center. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
How can I help a family member with mental health issues?
Take time for yourself and ensure that your own needs are being met—you cannot support your family member effectively if you are not also taking care of yourself. Make time for activities that help you cope with stress. Make time to see other family members and friends. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help.
Can a family member be taken to hospital for mental health?
However, the safety of your family member and those around them is the most important consideration. The police may also take a person to hospital if they, or someone else, have seen the person behaving dangerously as a result of a mental health concern, or if they have a Form 1 or Form 2.
What do I do if I Can’t afford mental health services?
There are quite a few mental health resources out there to give you even more ideas and suggestions of how to obtain treatment, therapy, or medications when you are uninsured or have no money to pay for services: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
What to do with a family member who is mentally ill?
Try to show patience and caring and try not to be judgmental of their thoughts and actions. Listen; don't disregard or challenge the person's feelings. Encourage them to talk with a mental health care provider or with their primary care provider if that would be more comfortable for them.
How can a family member be placed in a mental institution?
How to Initiate the Process of Committing SomeoneYour family doctor or a psychiatrist.Your local hospital.A lawyer specializing in mental health law.Your local police department.Your state protection and advocacy association.
How can I get mental health for someone else?
The person I care about is in crisis.Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text MHA to 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.Find a local MHA affiliate who can provide services.Find a therapist.Find support groups.Find a hospital.More items...
What to do if a family member needs mental help but refuses?
Here are a few things to consider when working with your loved one who doesn't want help:Listen and validate. If your relationship is iffy, it doesn't hurt to just listen. ... Ask questions. ... Resist the urge to fix or give advice. ... Explore options together. ... Take care of yourself and find your own support.
How do you get a mental help for someone who doesn't want it?
Reach out to your own support system. Talk to another friend or family member. Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor. These counselors can support you and offer advice on how to help your friend.
What do you do if someone refuses mental health treatment?
If the person refuses to follow the treatment plan, he/she can be sent to jail. Mental health courts have been shown to be very effective in keeping people on medication, and in reducing rehospitalizations, incarcerations, and violent behavior.
What are the 5 signs of mental illness?
Here are five warning signs of mental illness to watch for, especially when you have two or more of these symptoms.Long-lasting sadness or irritability.Extremely high and low moods.Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety.Social withdrawal.Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.
How do you get a delusional person to seek help?
Some things to keep in mind as you speak to the person:Pay attention to the emotions of the person.Discuss the way you see the delusion.Express that you are concerned about the person.Offer to pursue therapy together but be strategic.Ask the person why they believe as they do and be open-minded.More items...
Can you make someone go to the hospital?
Adults usually have the right to decide whether to go to the hospital or stay at the hospital. But if they are a danger to themselves or to other people because of their mental state, they can be hospitalized against their will. Forced hospitalization is used only when no other options are available.
Can you get a family member sectioned?
When can my nearest relative section me or place me under a guardianship? If your nearest relative is concerned about your mental health, they can contact your local social services or community mental health team and apply to section you or place you under a guardianship.
Can you force someone into therapy?
Self-care, psychologists note, is critical when in the presence of others who can clearly benefit from therapy but aren't seeking it. “'At some point, you have to protect yourself'” these experts remind us, “'You cannot force someone else to get help'” (as quoted by Neilson, 2017, para 8).
Supporting A Friend Or Family Member With Mental Health Problems
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How to Talk About Mental Health
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Get Help For Your Friend Or Family Member
Seek immediate assistance if you think your friend or family member is in danger of harming themselves. You can call a crisis line or the National...
How to contact SAMHSA?
If you, or a family member, needs help with a mental or substance use disorder, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, or use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to get help.
Can family members be affected by substance use?
When a family member is experiencing a mental or substance use disorder, it can affect more than just the person in need of recovery. Evidence has shown that some people have a genetic predisposition for developing mental and substance use disorders, and may be at greater risk based on environmental factors such as having grown up in a home affected by a family member’s mental health or history of substance use. Families should be open to the options of support groups or family therapy and counseling, which can improve treatment effectiveness by supporting the whole family.
Is there a one size fits all solution for helping a family member who is drinking too much?
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for helping a family member who is drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with a mental illness, research shows that family support can play a major role in helping a loved one with mental and substance use disorders.
What is a family member with mental illness?
Here we use the terms family member and caregiver interchangeably to refer to someone giving emotional, financial or practical support to a person with a mental health condition. Whether you're providing a lot of assistance or very little, the information here can help you better understand the issues that you might face.
What is the role of family members in mental health?
Family members and caregivers often play a large role in helping and supporting the millions of people in the U.S. who experience mental health conditions each year. Many family members and caregivers experience ...
What is NAMI volunteer?
Across the country, thousands of trained NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to a wide variety of community settings, from churches to schools to NAMI Affiliates. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs and support groups provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.
How to care for the people you love?
To be able to care for the people you love, you must first take care of yourself. It’s like the advice we’re given on airplanes: put on your own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else with theirs. Taking care of yourself is a valid goal on its own, and it helps you support the people you love. More.
Is it hard to help a family member?
Helping a family member is difficult, even if you do everything "right." No book, therapist or website can tell you how to prepare for the situations that may arise...
How to learn about mental health?
Educate yourself about the diagnosis, illness symptoms and side effects from antipsychotic treatments and other medications. Local Mental Health America affiliates, public libraries and the Internet are good resources to learn about mental illnesses and treatment options.
What is the best way to help someone in recovery?
Occasionally, family and friends participate in someone's recovery by offering transportation, financial and housing assistance. Whatever form it takes, your support, compassion and respect matter.
Is mental illness a matter of staying on medication?
Understand that recovery from mental illness isn't simply a matter of "just staying on one's medications." Self-esteem, social support and a feeling of contributing to society are also essential elements in the recovery process.
Can you talk to your family about mental illness?
Individuals with serious mental illness may not feel comfortable discussing their symptoms, feelings or medication side effects with family members and friends. However, a key element in recovery is productive, two-way communication between patient and doctor - what Mental Health America calls a Dialogue for Recovery.
What to do when you need help with mental health?
If you are in need of support, but not in crisis, consider reaching out to a warmline. Warmlines offer a place to call when you just need to talk to someone. Speaking to someone on these calls is typically free, confidential, and run by people who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems.
How to help a child with mental health issues?
Encourage them to take a mental health screen, print the results out, and bring them to a doctor or a mental health provider.
How to contact MHA?
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text MHA to 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Find a local MHA affiliate who can provide services. Find a therapist. Find support groups. Find a hospital. Learn about rights and resources as a caregiver of a person with a mental illness.
How to contact a crisis counselor?
Call 1-800-273-TALK (82 55) to reach a 24-hour crisis center available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are in need of support, but not in crisis, consider reaching out to a warmline.
How to contact MHA about crisis?
He or she appears to be losing control of his or her life and ability to work, go to school, or be there for friends and family. Call 1-800-273-TALK or text MHA to 741741 if you are in crisis. Look up your local MHA affiliate for services in your area. Find a therapist. Find a support group.
Is mental health a part of overall health?
Mental health is a critical part of overall health . If you're feeling distressed, there is hope. If the person you care about is still in school, our Back To School or Life On Campus materials may better fit your needs.
How to help a family member with mental illness?
Be patient with yourself and others. One of the most important things you can do to support a family member with serious mental illness is to educate yourself. The more you learn about what to expect, the easier it will be to provide the right kind of support and assistance.
What to do when someone is living with mental illness?
When a loved one is living with serious mental illness, it’s easy to want to take charge.
What to do if you feel your loved one is in danger of harming yourself or herself?
If you feel your loved one is in danger of harming himself or herself, or harming someone else, that’s an emergency. Don’t hesitate to call 911. If possible, ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention—many communities have officers on staff who are trained to diffuse a mental health crisis in the best possible way.
How do you know if you have a mental illness?
While symptoms of serious mental illnesses vary, these signs are among the more common: 1 Social withdrawal 2 Difficulty functioning at school or work 3 Problems with memory and thinking 4 Feeling disconnected from reality 5 Changes in sleeping, eating and hygiene habits 6 Alcohol or drug abuse 7 Extreme mood changes 8 Thoughts of suicide
How to help someone with a diagnosis?
Regardless of your answers to those questions, don’t let your fear of a diagnosis prevent you from encouraging your loved one to seek help. Start by talking to him or her. Express your concerns without using alarmist language or placing blame. You might say, “I’ve noticed that you seem more stressed than usual,” or “I’ve noticed you don’t seem like yourself lately.” Then back up those statements with facts, pointing out changes in hygiene or daily activities, for example.
What to do if your family member doesn't take you up on your offer?
If your family member doesn’t take you up on your offer, consider alerting his or her physician’s office with your concerns. Though the physician may not be able to share information with you due to privacy laws, it will give the doctor a head’s up to be on the lookout for signs of mental health problems.
Can a mental illness be a shock?
Being diagnosed with a serious mental illness can be a shock—both for the person diagnosed and for his or her family and friends. On the other hand, finally obtaining a diagnosis and treatment plan can sometimes help relieve stress in the family and start moving recovery forward.
How many addiction treatment centers are there in the US?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are over 14,500 specialized addiction treatment centers in the US alone. Most of them deal with multiple types of substance addictions, offering services that can include: Medically supervised detox. Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.
How effective is residential addiction treatment?
This involves staying in a specialized facility for several weeks and participating in daily treatment programs, such as 12-Step meetings or other support group meetings and individual counseling.
Can you become addicted to habit forming drugs?
Even those following dosage instructions perfectly can become addicted to habit forming medications, though it’s less likely. Regular substance use will often lead to a tolerance, meaning that more and more of the substance will need to be taken in order to get the same effect. Helping a family member recover from addiction is a challenge, ...
Who is the editorial staff of American Addiction Centers?
The editorial staff of American Addiction Centers is made up of credentialed clinical reviewers with hands-on experience in or expert knowledge of addiction treatment.
Can you intervene in a drug or alcohol abuse case?
Deciding to intervene in a person’s drug or alcohol use can be something of a judgment call and may require a second opinion from other loved ones or health professionals. Luckily, there is a common procedure for confronting an addicted loved one and getting that person into a rehabilitation center.
Is addiction a mental illness?
Addiction is considered to be a mental illness, and it can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or financial situation. Most people who become addicted to a substance will either be unaware or in denial of their problem.
How to support family members?
Take time for yourself and ensure that your own needs are being met— you cannot support your family member effectively if you are not also taking care of yourself . Make time for activities that help you cope with stress. Make time to see other family members and friends. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help.
How to get support for yourself and your family?
It is helpful to get connected with family support. This could include attending an education session, meeting with a therapist or joining a support group. There are also peer family supports in the community.
How long can a person stay in hospital?
If a physician believes a person is a risk to themself or others, they can write a Form 1. With a Form 1, the person may remain in hospital for up to 72 hours while they receive an emergency assessment.
What to do if family member is unwilling to go to hospital?
If they are unwilling to go to the hospital, call 911. Explain that it is a mental health emergency, in case there is a mental health crisis response team. Keep yourself safe. If your family member is agitated, threatening or aggressive, call 911 while making sure you and others are safe. The Mental Health Act provides another way, ...
What to say instead of "you need to get help"?
For example, instead of saying “You need to get help!” say “When I hear you talking about how unhappy you are, I feel worried. I think it would be really helpful for you to talk with someone about how you’re feeling.”
Is it easier to cope with family members?
It can be easier to cope when you feel informed about what your family member is experiencing. Many resources are available, but sometimes it is difficult to know what information is accurate. The “Resources” section in this pamphlet is a good place to start. There may also be education sessions that you can attend.
Can police take you to hospital?
The police may also take a person to hospital if they, or someone else, have seen the person behaving dangerously as a result of a mental health concern, or if they have a Form 1 or Form 2.
How to know if someone needs help?
In You Need Help! Komrad lists the specific signs — along with real-life examples — that signal an individual needs help. These are some of the signs: 1 Behavior that scares you, such as a significant temper. 2 Problems taking care of themselves or regulating their behavior, such as ignoring basic hygiene, engaging in reckless acts or drinking and acting aggressively. 3 Problems with thinking, such as becoming disoriented, seeing or hearing things that no one else does or forgetting important facts. 4 Intense feelings, such as profound anxiety about leaving the house. 5 Problems interacting with others, such as withdrawing from the people they love. 6 Inability to work, such as not holding down a job or diminishing grades or effort in school. 7 Experiencing trauma, such as abuse or the death of a child.
How to help a loved one who refuses to go to a doctor?
Facilitate the process by finding a professional and scheduling an appointment. Even if they refuse to go, see the practitioner anyway. Talk to them about helping your loved one. Komrad said that 15 percent of his practice is meeting with clients about their loved ones.
What to do when you feel unsafe?
If you’re feeling unsafe for any reason, articulate that to the authorities. If you’re uneasy about bringing your loved one home, communicate that as well. As Komrad said, you don’t want to give the system an easy way out. You want to make sure they grasp the gravity.
What is a problem taking care of themselves or regulating their behavior?
Problems taking care of themselves or regulating their behavior, such as ignoring basic hygiene, engaging in reckless acts or drinking and acting aggressively.
Is mental health treatment effective?
The good news is that treatments for mental illness are highly effective . The bad news is that only one out of three people might actually seek help. And some research suggests that the people who need help the most are typically the least likely to get it.
Do people with mental illness need counseling?
Many people with mental illness simply don’t think they’re sick. That’s why it’s critical for families and friends to step in and help their loved one realize they need to seek counseling. Don’t worry about “meddling” in their lives, Komrad said. Rather, you have the opportunity and power to improve – and in some cases, save — their lives.
What are some resources for mental health?
Mental health resources: There are quite a few mental health resources out there to give you even more ideas and suggestions of how to obtain treatment, therapy, or medications when you are uninsured or have no money to pay for services: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The National Alliance on Mental Illness.
How to find a therapist?
Finding a therapist or mental health center: 1 The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has a free clinic finder . Type in your zipcode and you will find clinics in your area. 2 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources also has a listing of free clinics in your area. All you have to do is plug in your geographic location. 3 The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) may also provide information on where to find treatment or mental health care in your area. You may call them toll free at 1-800-950-NAMI or contact them through their website. 4 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, it is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
What is the organization called that helps people get their medications paid for?
There is an organization called Needy Meds that may be able to give you assistance in obtaining your medications. Mental Health America also has some ideas of how you can get your medications paid for when you don't have the financial means.
How to contact NAMI?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
What is the number for the SAMHSA?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, it is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use ...
Do people have to pay for mental health services?
Many people do not have the money or the insurance to pay for mental health services services. Here is a list of ways you can find care despite your lack of funds.
