Over 43 million Americans experience mental illness in a given year; that’s 1 in 5 adults, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). What’s more, NAMI reports that nearly 6o% of adults with mental illness did not receive treatment. If you suspect your loved one is struggling in silence, you can help them by learning the warning signs of mental illness and the benefits of mental health interventions.
What to Watch For
Anyone can struggle with mental health–regardless of race, ethnicity, wealth, or age. In fact, 17% of youth aged 6 to 17 years experience mental illness, according to NAMI. Unfortunately, diagnosing a mental health issue is not always straightforward. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, each condition has different symptoms. These co-occurring conditions (also known as dual diagnosis) can complicate diagnosis and treatment, making it necessary to enlist professional help. The following are some of the overlapping symptoms to watch for as you assess whether there is cause for concern:
- Feeling sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
- Attempting self harm or making plans to do so
- Out-of-control risk-taking behaviors that cause harm to oneself or others
- Sudden, overwhelming fear without reason, which may include racing heart, physical pain or difficulty breathing
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Seeing, hearing or believing things that aren’t real
- Excessive use of drugs or alcohol
- Dramatic changes in mood, behavior, personality, or sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or staying still
- Intense worry or fear that affects the ability to perform daily activities
Benefits of a Mental Health Intervention
If you’ve noticed one or more of these symptoms in your loved one, it’s crucial to talk to them and try to understand what they’re experiencing while encouraging them to seek professional help. This is an important first step in their journey to recovery, though it is also important to realize that your loved one may not want help and may not believe they need it. They may be afraid of being stigmatized, or their mental illness may be so pronounced that they think their paranoia or delusions are founded.
In these situations, a mental health intervention with a professional interventionist is often the most effective way to get your loved one the help they need. Interventions take the pressure off of loved ones by::
- Providing objectivity and expertise
- De-escalating the stress and emotion
- Finding the right treatment program
- Advocating for your loved one
- Educating you on what to expect
- Following recovery progression
- Assisting in developing an aftercare plan to support recovery
Mental Health Interventions at Heather R. Hayes & Associates
We see intervention as a starting point in the journey to recovery. That’s why we include six months of case management for each client. Our founder, Heather Hayes, has over 30 years of experience specializing in the treatment of mental health issues. As a Master’s Level, Licensed Counselor, Board Registered Interventionist (CIP), and Certified ARISE Interventionist, Heather offers clients and their families a compassionate safe place. Over 90% of those who go through the intervention process with her seek treatment.
In addition, our entire team of interventionists provides a customized approach that includes a Trauma-Informed Responsive Intervention™ which is proven to result in better long-term recovery and supports both the client and the family. As independent interventionists, we do not have financial relationships with any treatment centers or clinicians, so you can feel confident that we will provide a professional and ethical approach to clinical guidance and treatment for your loved one.
For more information on our mental health intervention services, call 800-335-0316 or email info@heatherhayes.com today.
