Finding Family Mental Health Support When a Youth is Struggling

When a teenager, adolescent, or young adult is facing mental health challenges, where can the rest of the family and caregivers seek support?

A youth experiencing a sudden and serious mental health issue needs immediate help, whether from their mental health specialist, a crisis centre, or from a hospital emergency department. (See the information box, Help During a Crisis, at the end of this article.)

Help for the rest of the family

After the person affected is getting help, however, it’s common for other family members or caregivers to realize that they need assistance, too. And information about this might be available from the same therapist or mental health program a youth is using, since they’re likely familiar with the family’s unique challenges. Sometimes, however, adults need to find help on their own, and the following article aims to assist those in that situation.

Menderist is providing the following information as an introduction to sources of support for adults whose adolescent, teen, or young adult is struggling with their mental health. These are the Canadian and American organizations frequently recommended by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals.

Note: the articles in this issue are mainly focusing on sources of family support related to four common conditions affecting youth / young adults: anxiety, depression; substance use; and eating disorders.

Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in the United States

There’s a wide range of mental health support for U.S. families and caregivers who are helping adolescents, teens, and young adults work through their struggles. To learn about articles; videos; podcasts; courses; group meetings; and how to find specialists, see our article, Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in the United States.

Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in Canada

Canadian mental health professionals typically recommend a few, leading organizations to families and caregivers needing support for youth mental support. See our article Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in Canada to learn about resources including free courses; articles; videos; podcasts; courses; group meetings; and tips on how to find specialists.

Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers via 12 Step & other Substance Disorder Programs

Parents and caregivers for adolescents, teens, and young adults in 12 Step – and in other substance abuse disorder programs – can often find family help from parallel organizations. Menderist is covering these family/caregiver resources separately, since many such programs are designed to be used by both Canadians and Americans. See our summary of Family Mental Health Support from 12 Step & other Substance Disorder Programs, including Al-Anon; Nar-Anon; Smart Recovery and Learn2Cope.

Finding a Therapist

Many people don’t know who to contact once they decide to get mental health counselling. Menderist suggests sources of help in the article, Finding a Mental Health Therapist. We explain how to find out the meaning of different specialist titles – where to find a psychiatrist or psychologist, or other types of counsellors – and how to find help by region. 

Books for Parents and Children to Share

Estimates are that 13 to 20% of mental health problems begin by the early adolescent years of 11 to 14. How can parents or caregivers help children learn how to protect mental health – especially before the teen years? One way is for adults and children to read and discuss age-appropriate books about these issues. Menderist lists 14 titles recommended by library professionals, in its article Talking About Mental Health: Books for Parents to Read with Children aged 8+.