Families Can Help Persons With Mental Illness
Mental illness can strike anyone! Most people believe that mental disorders are rare and
“happen to someone else.” In fact, mental disorders are common and widespread.
If you think that someone you love has a mental illness, you are not alone. According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), an estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. These disorders are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Most families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental illness. It can be physically and emotionally trying and can make you feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.
If you think that your family member has a mental illness, it is important to remember there is hope and help. This article is a summary of some of my research on the topics of mental illness or mental disorders and families.
When is help needed?
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, feelings or behaviors that seem out of the ordinary or that do not seem to go away may be signs that professional help is needed for your loved one.
Some signs to look for include:
How can families help?
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, your family should work together with the loved one who has the mental illness and the team of mental healthcare professionals. Learn all you can about the illness; understanding can help you cope. Take things slowly, step by step. The speed of progress is not as important as the direction.
As your family member begins to get better, it is important to prevent a relapse (recurrence of a psychotic episode).
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, to help maintain the recovery process:
Where can families find help?
Often, the best place to start is your local and state chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Other local resources are:
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Article published by Jerrilene Washington, Ed.D., is a retired associate professor from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the president of the Ruston chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Ruston.
“happen to someone else.” In fact, mental disorders are common and widespread.
If you think that someone you love has a mental illness, you are not alone. According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), an estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. These disorders are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Most families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental illness. It can be physically and emotionally trying and can make you feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.
If you think that your family member has a mental illness, it is important to remember there is hope and help. This article is a summary of some of my research on the topics of mental illness or mental disorders and families.
When is help needed?
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, feelings or behaviors that seem out of the ordinary or that do not seem to go away may be signs that professional help is needed for your loved one.
Some signs to look for include:
- Tension, anxiety, or fear that is almost constant and seems out pf proportion to the situation.
- Depression, loss of confidence, withdrawing from friends and activities, or hopelessness that does not go away.
- Changes in mood or behavior that are abrupt and that are radical departures from usual patterns.
- Complaints, such as headaches or nausea that seem to have no explainable physical cause.
How can families help?
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, your family should work together with the loved one who has the mental illness and the team of mental healthcare professionals. Learn all you can about the illness; understanding can help you cope. Take things slowly, step by step. The speed of progress is not as important as the direction.
As your family member begins to get better, it is important to prevent a relapse (recurrence of a psychotic episode).
According to Janssen and SmithKline Beecham, to help maintain the recovery process:
- Know early signs of relapse.
- Encourage compliance in taking medication and participating in other treatments.
- Identify reasonable goals that are obtainable in the near future.
- Learn to reduce stress.
- Talk to each other and to the healthcare team.
- Encourage and support your loved one.
- Learn problem-solving techniques.
- Be sensitive.
Where can families find help?
Often, the best place to start is your local and state chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Other local resources are:
- Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurses, and mental health counselors,
- Family physician,
- Clergy person,
- Family services agencies,
- Educational consultants or school counselors,
- Marriage and family counselors,
- Child guidance counselors,
- Pharmacists,
- Psychiatric hospitals, local hospitals and mental health services,
- Coroner services, and
- Hotlines, crisis centers, and emergency rooms.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 800-950-6264 or 703-524-7600.
- Mental Health America/National Mental Health Association (NMHA) at 800-969-6642.
- Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) at 800-789-2647.
- American Psychological Association at 800-374-2721 or 202-336-5500.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at 301-443-4513.
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Article published by Jerrilene Washington, Ed.D., is a retired associate professor from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the president of the Ruston chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Ruston.