Park Mental Health Encourages Family Involvement in Client Recovery

San Diego, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 11, 2024 / The minds suffering from mental illness are young. Most clients at Park Mental Health's treatment center are between 18 and 26 years old, a critical period when symptoms can worsen, according to Program Director Mikayla Weathers. In response, Park Mental Health is launching an initiative to involve families in patient recovery.

Mental health disorders are often coupled with substance abuse. Many teens use alcohol or drugs as coping mechanisms, leading to a longer recovery process. An estimated one in four Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder annually, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Prevention and early intervention are key. Weathers emphasizes teaching children to acknowledge and cope with their emotions. This involves healthy adults who can regulate their own emotions. Long-term management of mental health disorders requires family involvement.

Weathers notes that most parents at Park Mental Health are highly involved in their loved one's recovery. She also highlights the importance of integrating mental health awareness into educational environments. Schools in San Diego are increasingly adding mindfulness and emotional discussions to their curriculum.

However, more resources are needed. Patients face long wait lists to see professionals, and there is insufficient funding and support for mental health services. Small steps can create safe spaces, such as checking biases and judgments.

Mental health awareness involves breaking stigma and advocating for those struggling. "Walking the walk" is crucial for modeling mental wellness, Weathers concludes.