Mental Health Support for Families, Caregivers in the United States
Families and caregivers often need support when they’re helping a youth through mental health issues. And the same therapist who is working with their adolescent or older child could be a good starting point. But there are also other sources of information, and those are the focus of this article.
Below is Menderist’s list of well-known American mental health organizations that provide support to parents and caregivers of adolescents, teens, or young adults struggling with mental health. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals frequently recommend these organizations.
Note: see also Canadian Resources – including podcasts, videos, articles – which may be helpful to those in the USA. Also: a separate article addresses 12 Step and alternative programs.
American Psychological Association
“APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.”
The APA’s website provides a search to find a psychologist.
The APA is an association for psychology professionals, and doesn’t run family support groups; however, its website has a wide range of helpful information:
The APA’s YouTube channel contains informative videos designed to “help parents and caregivers navigate common challenges”: see the parent and caregiver section. An example of a video at the site is: tips for helping teens stop comparing themselves to others on social media.
APA’s podcast series
The APA’s podcast, ‘Speaking of Psychology’, is available on YouTube and through phone apps, and offers in-depth coverage of many topics, including:
- Friendship: How To Help Kids Navigate Friendship: A 2024 episode about friendship features clinical psychologist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore PhD. (creator of the podcast “Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic”)
- Eating Disorders: The May 3, 2023 episode with Cheri Levinson deals with eating disorders.
A note about podcast transcripts: if the transcript for an episode isn’t displaying in YouTube, you may be able to access it by (if available) listening to an episode as a podcast instead. For example, the APA’s podcast is also broadcast through Apple’s podcast app, and the transcript provided is a convenient way to find out about additional resources (e.g. for eating disorders, Project Heal; the National Eating Disorder Association).
Local Psychology Organization, by State:
Besides the American Psychological Association (APA, above), a way to find a psychologist is through state organizations. For example, if you look up ‘Vermont Psychological Association,’ the website provides a search feature for psychologists by region, and by specialty (e.g. adolescents). And some state organizations also offer a search for a particular therapy delivery method: for example, by telecounseling.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
The AACAP is a non-government, non-profit professional organization for child and adolescent psychiatry. Its website describes the academy as: “the leading national medical association dedicated to treating families affected by childhood and adolescent mental illnesses.”
Families and caregivers can check the academy website for information about finding a child & adolescent psychiatrist.
AACCAP also offers a range of information for families/youth on such topics as anxiety disorders; tips about using screen media; and ADHD. This information is available through Resource Centers, including:
Note: AACAP’s Resource Centres frequently provide additional information, but the location of this information may vary. For instance, the Depression Resource Centre page places a list of more information in the leftmost column (indented under the heading, Depression) – whereas in other Resource Centres, resources are displayed at the bottom of the page.
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA is a U.S. government agency that is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its website notes the agency’s goal is “to make substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research more accessible.”
General information about finding support is available at SAMHSA.
For information on support groups and local programs, consult the website page about Support Group or Local Program.
For information to help parents/caregivers with possible mental health issues experienced by a family member, see:
- Coping – Signs of Needing Help
- Conversations – Tips for Parents and Caregivers
National Association for Mental Illness
NAMI is a national “Grassroots mental health organization” that provides support and education for those affected by mental illness in the United States. Consult the website to Find Your Local NAMI organization and affiliates across the U.S.
Among the resources available from the organization is a guide co-authored by NAMI, designed to help parents and college-aged students address the subject of mental health.
Other resources: a page on NAMI’s website outlines other resources available from the association, including tips on:
Child Mind Institute
Child Mind is a non-profit organization based in the United States that focuses on” gold-standard, evidence-based care”, education, and providing resources to families. The institute offers courses and therapy for a fee: it also works to develop treatments that lead to major advances in the field.
Here are some Child Mind resources for adults who are helping a youth through mental health issues:
- different types of mental health professionals, and the services they offer
- The organization’s Topics Page includes links to explanations and information about different mental health concerns, such as Anxiety and Depression
- Child Mind offers courses for a fee, including several designed for caregivers, including parents and other adults. For a course list, see the ‘Caregivers’ section.
In June 2024, Child Mind and 14 other youth wellness organizations – including Common Sense Media; a center at Sesame Workshop; and Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence – launched DigitalParenthood.com, which they describe as “a free online community designed to support and empower families by providing easy access to tools, resources and expertise as parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising a connected generation.”
Recovery Research Institute
As noted on its website, “The Recovery Research Institute is a leading non-profit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.”
The institute promotes resources for family members via its website including information about finding treatment; the stages of coping, and a series of infographic guides.
Note: for information about specific help for family / caregivers of someone in a 12-step or other substance use disorder program, see the resources mentioned in Family Mental Health Support from 12 Step & other Substance Disorder Programs. Many of these resources are equally available to both Americans and Canadians.
HELP DURING A CRISIS
Crisis lines provide immediate help to anyone – adults or youths – in serious distress:
988 is the number to call or text in Canada and the U.S. Those living in the U.S. can also chat via 988lifeline.org.
