Get Prepared to Help a Friend or Loved One
People with a mental health disorder may hesitate to seek professional mental health treatment. They may go without treatment because of social stigmas surrounding mental health treatment, they do not recognize the symptoms, or they cannot seek treatment because their symptoms do not let them. A mental health intervention in San Diego may help your friend or loved one regain control.
Mental health disorders, or mental illness, often go untreated, leading to worsening conditions. If your friend or loved one is struggling with their mental health and is not seeking out needed treatment, you can plan a mental health intervention. A mental health intervention in San Diego is necessary when a person with a mental health disorder cannot function well in daily life or is at risk of harming themselves or others. If your loved one cannot consistently attend work, care for themselves, or engage in typical activities, it may be time for an intervention.
What Is a Mental Health Intervention?
When people think about an intervention, they often imagine substance abuse-related interventions portrayed in the media. While addiction and mental health interventions share many of the strategies or techniques aimed at getting a loved one the help they need, they are not the same.
Addiction interventions will often have an inpatient facility lined up, including drug detox. Mental health interventions do not necessarily require the person to seek inpatient treatment, especially if done early enough in the progression of an illness. Family members and friends can express concern for their loved one’s mental health and well-being while encouraging them to seek out counseling or support.
However, a crisis intervention may be required if the situation is critical, meaning their mental health puts them or others at risk. You can seek help from a professional if you feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of doing it on your own or call 911 in an emergency, such as when a person has suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
10 Signs That Someone Needs a Mental Health Intervention
Mental health disorders appear differently in each person and range in severity. Without treatment, symptoms can worsen and even reach crisis levels. Getting your loved one to agree to professional help early on can help them avoid an emergency situation and live a happier, healthier life.
If you are concerned about your friend or family member’s mental health, some signs they may need professional help and a mental health intervention include:
- Struggling to handle stress: You may notice changes in your loved one’s ability to handle their stress or have a more challenging time maintaining a schedule they did before.
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue: Mental health disorders can lead to insomnia and sleep disorders, which also worsen from lack of sleep. A loved one struggling with mental health may feel extremely tired or fatigued.
- A decline in physical appearance or hygiene: A significant change in how someone takes care of themselves and their personal hygiene can indicate declining mental health, such as no longer brushing their teeth, changing their clothes, or showering.
- Not keeping up with work, school, or personal responsibilities: Work and school performance may begin to decline as mental health issues worsen. Increased absences or tardiness, dropping grades, and a loss of employment are signs your loved one needs help.
- Increased alcohol or drug use: Individuals with mental health symptoms may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, which can become a substance use disorder. Professional treatment can help them develop healthier coping mechanisms instead of turning to substance abuse.
- Erratic mood swings or anger outbursts: Your loved one may need help if they are exhibiting erratic mood swings, excessive frustration, or lashing out. This is especially true if they are not usually prone to anger.
- Increased isolation: Your loved one may withdraw from those closest to them and spend more time alone, which can also exacerbate their symptoms.
- Losing interest in activities or hobbies: They no longer engage in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed.
- Expressing excessive fears, worries, and anxieties: A person with worsening mental health issues may begin to express irrational fears or worries and cannot shake themselves out of them.
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there: Experiencing auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations are indications of psychosis. They may also exhibit delusions or paranoia.
5 Tips to Plan a Mental Health Intervention
Planning and carrying out a mental health intervention should be carefully approached with the right knowledge. If done incorrectly, the person can feel they are being attacked and quickly become defensive. With proper preparation, the greater likelihood of success. Here are some tips to plan a successful mental health intervention in San Diego:
- Consult with a mental health professional: A counselor, therapist, or intervention specialist can provide the proper guidance and tools to approach your loved one correctly.
- Ask how they feel about their mental health: Often, people do not know how to start a conversation with loved ones about their feelings. Simply just voicing your concern can open the door for them to ask for help.
- Use a positive, supportive tone: You must speak from a place of love and respect while remaining calm, even if they are reacting negatively or defensively.
- Research treatment options: You can prepare a list of counselors, therapists, and treatment centers near you and what treatment may look like, and what they can expect from professional help. This information can help remove some of the stigmas and fears many people have concerning mental health treatment.
- Offer to call, make an appointment, or go with them to treatment: People can feel anxious about calling and making an appointment on their own. By offering to help them through the first few steps, you can make the process effortless — and make the person more likely to get the treatment they need.
Define Goals and Success Before the Intervention
Successful mental health interventions can have various outcomes. Ideally, the person will acknowledge they are struggling mentally and get the treatment needed to improve their condition.
However, this isn’t the only successful outcome. For some people, getting the help they need may come in stages, and they may need several conversations before they get treatment. A successful intervention may be one where your loved one can openly talk about their struggles and how they want to improve.
Alter Mental Health Can Assist with an Intervention in San Diego
Mental health disorders can be difficult to recognize, and many people struggle to discuss their feelings openly. An intervention in San Diego can motivate your loved one to seek treatment and recognize they need help before the situation reaches crisis mode. If your loved one is struggling with their mental health, Alter Mental Health in San Diego can provide a short-term crisis stabilization program after a mental health intervention. We offer an alternative to inpatient hospitalization in times of crisis where people can receive the support and care they need 24/7 in a safe and comfortable environment. If you would like to learn more about our programs or ask about the admissions process, please call our helpline today at 866-986-1481, or contact our team online. We’re here for you and ready to help you plan a mental health intervention in San Diego.
