The first step in setting up a mental health intervention is to contact a professional. This person can listen to your family’s story and determine the best intervention for your loved one.

Once you determine a mental health intervention strategy, you can decide who should participate. Close family members, such as parents, siblings or grandparents, often participate. If they are old enough, children may also participate. Support people, such as close friends, colleagues or members of the person’s church or other organizations, may also be part of the intervention.

When completing an intervention, it is important to remain focused on the topic of concern: your desire for your loved one to be healthy and get the treatment necessary for a fulfilling life. You should avoid shaming your loved one or placing blame on them.

Mental Health Interventions For Teens

Mental health interventions with teens may involve some of the same strategies used with adults, such as a CRAFT or family systemic intervention. Since teens often live at home under the care of their parents, a mental health intervention for teens may be more forcible. For instance, research shows that many states — including Florida — only require parental consent for a minor to enter inpatient mental health treatment.

School-Based Interventions For Mental Health

In some cases, school-based interventions may be available to teens. When trained mental health professionals implement these interventions according to the protocol, they can be effective. A school-based professional, such as a school counsellor or social worker, may intervene when they become aware that a student is displaying mental health disorder symptoms.

According to research, school-based interventions can be useful for treating conditions like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among youth. If teens receive interventions at school, this may reduce the need for interventions facilitated by family members.

Prevention And Early Intervention In Mental Health

Intervening early during a loved one’s mental health issue may also be effective. Experts have explained that if mental conditions are left untreated, they can create more severe disruption in a person’s life. This means that intervening as soon as you notice symptoms may be the most effective way to help your loved one.

Research supports the approach of early intervention in mental health. Studies have shown that interventions for bipolar disorder are more effective when implemented early. A person may also be more receptive to treatment if it is provided before a mental disorder becomes severe.

Mental Health, Substance Abuse

The mental health impact of COVID-19 may increase the need for mental health interventions. Experts have found that large-scale disasters tend to increase rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and similar increases are expected with COVID-19. The pandemic’s physical-distancing requirements can also make some people feel lonely and anxious.

If your loved one has seemed especially anxious or distressed in the wake of the pandemic, be ready to offer support and listen to their concerns. Scheduling regular phone calls may make them feel more connected and less distressed. You can also encourage your loved one to take advantage of opportunities to connect virtually with others.

If you notice that a loved one is having difficulty functioning due to distress from COVID-19, it may be time to intervene and recommend mental health treatment. Virtual options, such as teletherapy programs, are available to assist those who cannot go to a physical office for treatment.

Family Intervention

Being a parent is the hardest job there is. At least, that is what we often hear. However, it is also the most rewarding. Our mini-us grow, take a stand, make choices and sometimes make mistakes. Parents also evolve in this beautiful whirlwind of family emotions. Moreover, who says whirlwind also says storm…

It is natural that the values, beliefs and reasoning of each family member, both parents and children, occasionally collide and create upheaval within the family nucleus. Family intervention helps to find balance and harmony, take stock of the family, and what you want for your future and what you want to change. Each individual is considered in this type of intervention where the worker questions, listens and does not judge.