After America shut down in 2020, mental health issues started to rise. It became a common thing to see news stories and to have family discussions on the topic of mental health.
Mental health issues for youth moved to the forefront when they were mandated to do remote learning, couldn’t socialize with friends at school, and had to wear masks.
Not long after schools closed, my daughter learned that a teenage girl in her neighborhood died by suicide. That sparked concern about the mental health of the young members of our family.
Like all other illnesses, family members are affected just as much as the loved one with the mental health condition.
I became curious about mental health long before the pandemic. As a teen, I observed others who did things that didn’t seem to fit society’s definition of normal.
For instance, I knew a boy who stopped going outside after the tragic death of his grandfather. In fact, he refused to go back to school, which forced his family to bring in a tutor to meet his educational needs.
Around the same time, I was acquainted with a gentleman who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning home from war. The man’s mental health challenges were not obvious until a horrific life-changing event occurred that devastated his family.
In our local communities, we interact with people who are having mental health challenges daily. Some individuals are being treated by healthcare professionals and are living quality-filled lives. Others mask their symptoms with drugs and alcohol.
What Exactly Is Mental Health?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines mental health as our “emotional, psychological, and social well-being,” influencing:
- thoughts
- feelings
- actions
- reactions
- relationships
- decisions
When mental health is disturbed, it becomes imbalanced and is diagnosed as a mental disorder or mental illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes eight mental disorders that affect people around the world:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- PTSD
- Schizophrenia
- Eating Disorders
- Conduct Disorder
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Having a loved one with a mental illness can be disruptive to families. Parents with uncontrolled mental disorders can’t care for their children. A parent who has a child with an unaddressed mental health condition may be experiencing extreme difficulty coping.
Children may be having problems in school or with peers. Suddenly, a teen could be demonstrating adverse behaviors at home.
Unfortunately, if no one notices the problem or if there’s no one to turn to, the condition and quality of life of the individual and the family worsens.
Can You See Mental Illness?
The CDC tells us that mental illness is common in the U.S. and provides the following statistics:
Numbers: Group:
More than 1 in 5 Teens have/had a debilitating mental illness
More than 1 in 5 Adults living with mental illness
About 1 in 25 Adults living with serious mental illness
It’s important that families pay attention to the warning signs of poor mental health. At first, it may not be obvious that a member of the family has a mental disorder and needs treatment, and the symptoms are mistaken for other conditions.
The Mayo Clinic informs us that an individual with mental illness may be showing signs, such as:
- Sadness
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Inability to cope
- Having suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
- Withdrawing from others
Having a loved one with an untreated mental disorder can cause extreme hardship and lead to many complications for the entire family. The family may make unsuccessful attempts to handle the situation using strategies that generally work for individuals without mental disorders.
Sometimes, families who are challenged with mental health crises may need help but don’t try to access it due to embarrassment or other personal reasons.
Where Can a Family Find Help?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers resources for individuals, families, and parents. This organization can provide you with a variety of support groups and counseling services around the country.
If you and your family are trying to handle a mental health condition alone, please know that support is available. Early treatment may be the key to better mental health and fewer crises.
Feel free to check out the links in the article for additional information and to find a support system to help you get through the storm.
