Do you have a mentally ill son destroying the family? When mental health disorders strike a person’s life, it impacts the entire family. If your main concern is “My son has a mental illness and won’t get help”, then you are looking for answers.
Renewal Oasis understands how mental illness affects the individual and their loved ones. We offer structured care on an outpatient or residential basis to help people minimize their symptoms and develop more control of their lives. Our therapists also lead family therapy sessions that allow each family member to express themselves and learn how best to support their loved ones. Don’t let frustration with finding the right treatment program for your son stop you from reaching out. Quality, effective care is just a phone call away.
What Do I Do if My Mentally Ill Son is Destroying Our Family?
Are you a mother or father who finds yourself constantly thinking, “My son has a mental illness and won’t get help”? When a mentally ill son is destroying the family peace, parents want to jump into action as fast as possible. Ways to try to help your son include:
- Let him know he can talk to you at any time. You can just listen or offer advice, depending on which he needs.
- Talk to other family members and ask them to work in tandem to help your loved one.
- Encourage your son to understand that making positive changes and easing his symptoms of mental illness is something he can do.
- Remind your son that you are on his team. You want to help him heal at the right pace for him. However, this does not mean putting off treatment out of fear.
- Search for treatment programs and speak to their admissions staff to get answers to any questions you or your son have.
- If your son is an adult, offer assistance such as providing transportation to therapy sessions and picking up medications. If your son goes to a residential program, offer to help provide childcare, pet care, or help in packing.
If you are short of ideas to help your son, ask him specifically what he needs. It may be a friendly ear, a hug, or doing an activity together like watching a movie or going out to eat. You can also ask if there is something directly tied to getting him help that you can do to ease his burden.
What Can I Do for My Mentally Ill Son Who Won’t Get Help?
If you know your son has a mental illness and won’t get help, you are feeling fear and frustration. Every mom and dad want to scoop up their child and heal whatever is wrong with them. However, mental illness is so much more powerful and intricate than a scraped knee or a nightmare a child has.
place to start when your son won’t get help is by looking for support groups. Many focus on one particular mental illness and offer resources and support for family members of someone who has it. As well, do a search for books on the subject. The internet, local bookstores, and the library house many books that are written to help parents who struggle with a child who is mentally ill.
While it can be difficult to reach this decision, sometimes you are not the right person to work closely with your son to get help. Your son may feel there is too much muddied water under the bridge, or he feels he is in too much conflict with his mother or father for them to be an ally right now. It’s tough to hear, but creating distance while someone helps him can be effective. Talk to a family member or close friend to guide your son toward treatment.
Resources for Parents of a Mentally Ill Son
If you can describe your biggest challenge as a parent as “My son has a mental illness and won’t get help”, there are resources to check out. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources to help your child’s mental and emotional health.
SAMHSA also offers tips on how to talk about mental health. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry answers common questions asked by parents of children with a mental illness.
Parents can also check out:
- Resources for Parents and Family Members with Mental Health Challenges
- The Kids Mental Health Foundation
- National Alliance on Mental Health Support Groups
Contact Renewal Oasis to Learn About Our Treatment Options
Do you feel that your mentally ill son is destroying the family? Many parents find themselves at a loss for how to shepherd their son to a first-class treatment plan that will make a huge difference. Renewal Oasis welcomes inquiries from parents who tell us, “My son has a mental illness and won’t get help.” Our friendly and compassionate admissions staff will ask about your son’s symptoms and any treatment history. From there, they can recommend the appropriate level of care and place him quickly in the right program for his unique needs.
Contact us today to find out more about how to provide a safe haven for your son while he works on improving his mental health. We help put families back together.
Published: 12/12/2024
