The Role Of Family Support During A Mental Health Crisis
Family support during a mental health crisis can de-escalate tension and promote recovery. By offering emotional and practical support, family members can play a role in mental health care. Tools to aid in family support may include psychoeducation, individual or family therapy, healthy communication skills, and effective problem-solving strategies.
The benefits of family support during a mental health crisis
A family may consist of one’s blood relatives, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family, and one’s chosen family, which may include their partner, friends, caregivers, and other loved ones.
In many cases, family members provide care for loved ones experiencing mental health struggles. Findings indicate that family engagement can play a significant role in a person’s mental health outcomes.
The potential benefits of family support have been noted by many organizations. For example, the World Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization recommend collaboration between families or caretakers, the patient, and the healthcare providers involved in their treatment.
- Fewer relapses
- Reduced hospital admissions and shorter stays
- Reduced positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech) and negative symptoms (social withdrawal, anhedonia, avolition) in people with schizophrenia
- Early detection of signs of relapse
- Higher levels of self-reported quality of life
- Better social function
- Help gaining access to mental health services during a crisis
- Reduced stress and emotional distress for caregivers
Challenges associated with family involvement
Studies suggest a correlation between mental health challenges and social and psychological processes in one’s family. Factors like parental emotional detachment, conflict, and perceived family support may all play a role in these processes. Other factors, such as adverse life circumstances and high levels of stress, may also significantly affect one's mental health. Depending on the situation, a person experiencing mental health challenges may be reluctant to involve family members for various reasons. This might be the case if they expect family members to be critical, for example.
Family members may also hesitate to involve themselves, especially if they have concerns about being blamed for family dynamics. Other factors, such as stigma around mental illness and previous negative experiences with mental health providers, may also play a role. Moreover, caring for someone with a chronic condition can be stressful for many people, possibly affecting their own mental health.
Findings suggest that learning about a family member's condition can dispel misinformation about mental illnesses while promoting a better understanding of the symptoms and challenges of living with a mental health condition. This knowledge, which may be gained through psychoeducation, can equip one with guidance on how to manage a crisis, provide emotional support, and problem-solve as needed.
How to extend family support during a mental health crisis
A mental health crisis may involve panic attacks, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other potentially concerning behaviors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) suggests the following strategies for supporting an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis:
- Practice clear communication to ensure your family member is heard and understood. NAMI recommends using techniques like active listening, which generally involves reflecting and summarizing thoughts and ideas to ensure that thoughts are being understood, and offering the individual your undivided attention.
- Adopt an empathetic, non-judgmental tone as you speak and listen.
- Ask direct questions and listen closely to their answers.
- Ask for professional help if you sense that you cannot de-escalate the situation. You could start by contacting your family member's health provider.
- Contact emergency services in the case of an immediate threat to their safety or that of others.
The role of practical support
One of the main ways in which one can support a family member with mental health challenges may be through practical support, such as the following:
- Reminding your family member to take prescribed medication or administering medication if necessary
- Scheduling their medical appointments
- Reminding them to attend scheduled appointments
- Locating crisis intervention resources
- Helping them learn about their condition
Family therapy
Family therapy may foster more constructive interactions between family members. Some researchers consider it an optimal counseling method for "helping family members adjust to an immediate family member struggling with an addiction, medical issue, or mental health diagnosis."
This kind of therapy may focus on interactions between individuals and the family's dynamics and promote the idea of the family functioning as a unit. In so doing, family therapy may enable families to address concerns, manage stressful situations, and foster a healthier environment. It may teach individuals to utilize helpful resources, support one another, implement problem-solving strategies, and improve communication skills.
According to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), family therapy may be as "effective, and in some cases more effective than standard and/or individual treatments for many mental health conditions."
For instance, family-focused therapy is considered an evidence-based intervention for adults and children with bipolar disorder and their caregivers. This approach usually consists of psychoeducation, as well as tools and training for improved communication and problem-solving skills.
Family-centered intervention programs
Programs like the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF) typically aim to help adults gain "the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deal with crisis situations involving their children." As a training course, it teaches adults to prevent crises, gain skills to help children improve their coping strategies, and view crises as learning opportunities.
Caretaking and self-care
Caretaking can be gratifying and personally rewarding. However, it can also pose significant stressors when caretakers' own needs go unaddressed. Family members often provide care over extended periods. The challenges and responsibilities of caretaking can place high levels of stress on a family member, which can be compounded by emotional distress, social isolation, and other added roles at work and within the family.
Studies suggest that self-care can be vital to ensure that caregivers tend to their roles effectively, caring for their own well-being in the process. Self-care usually involves fostering behaviors that promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
Self-care can include practicing mindfulness, fostering social relationships, taking time off, and undergoing therapy.
Considering therapy for mental illness and more
Individual psychotherapy (talk therapy) can address high stress levels and concerns impacting your mental health and well-being. If in-person therapy is inconvenient, you may want to consider online therapy. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can be convenient and accessible, empowering you to get the help you deserve from the comfort of your home at a time that works for you.
Online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face therapy for addressing a variety of mental health concerns. A large body of research suggests that online and in-person therapy produce the same results.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions about family & mental health care
What does family support during a mental health crisis look like for someone with a mental illness?
Family support can consist of guaranteeing the person feels safe and understood. It's about being here right now and creating a non judging environment.
How can family members identify a mental health crisis and seek appropriate health care support?
Look for abrupt behavioral changes, severe mood swings, or disengagement from everyday tasks. Should these symptoms present themselves, get in touch with a mental health professional or emergency services right away.
How can family support during a mental health crisis improve healthcare outcomes?
Faster intervention, better adherence to treatment plans, and a more encouraging atmosphere for recovery—all of which can help to improve general health outcomes—can result from family support.
How can healthcare providers involve family members in the treatment of a loved one experiencing a mental illness?
Family members can be included in treatment discussions, taught about the illness, and guided on how best to help their loved one.
What role does family support play in the recovery process after a mental health crisis?
Long-term healing may require family support. It supports emotional stability, helps to preserve treatment adherence, and motivates the individual to remain involved in their road to recovery.
What resources are available for family support during a mental health crisis related to severe mental illness?
Resources include hotlines, therapy, support groups, and instructional materials. Groups like National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, provide insightful data and support.
How can family members advocate for better health care during a mental health crisis?
Family members can be advocates by keeping current on the state of their loved one, by properly interacting with medical professionals, and by advocating for required treatments and services.
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