Park Mental Health experts encourages families to discuss mental health with loved ones during graduation season
There are times in our lives when a mental health check-in is obvious – when someone passes away, loses a job or gets physically hurt/ill. What isn’t so apparent is touching base with a friend or loved one when something positive happens in their life. Take the major shift of graduation, for example.
This time of year, many young adults are enjoying the success of their recent academic achievement in graduating high school or college. Everything has culminated to this one moment. It’s exciting, nostalgic and stressful.
This is when mental health concerns can come into play. For those entering college, the workforce or adulthood, the desire to celebrate can get clouded with uncertainty and overwhelming emotions related to changing social environments, new expectations, financial shifts and identity.
Because of this, professional experts at San Diego-based Park Mental Health Park are encouraging parents, caregivers and loved ones to prioritize emotional check-ins with young adults navigating this important life transition.
“One of the most dangerous things we can do is assume someone is okay and be passive,” said Park Mental Health Program Director Mikayla Weathers. “Simple asking someone, ‘how are you doing?’ is a subtle way to invite others to share what they’re going through and can make a world of difference.”
Some red flags to look out for include drastic mood changes, neglecting important tasks and themselves or engaging in self-destructive behaviors. “Many young adults feel pressure to appear confident while they’re actually struggling,” Weathers said.
Such a monumental transition can significantly impact a young adult’s mental health, as social anxiety, feelings of isolation, and pressure to succeed may increase the risk of coping through alcohol or drug use.
Clinical and behavioral health professionals at Shoreline Recovery Center are reminding and encouraging families and friends to have proactive conversations with young adults in their lives about alcohol and drugs.
“Having simple, but intentional conversations and offering support while navigating this change can be exactly the reassurance they need to feel stable moving forward,” she said.
Asking meaningful questions about how a loved one is coping mentally and emotionally are important access points leading up to graduation. They can include articulating a safe space for judgment-free conversations, suggesting healthy habits and self-care routines, being aware of personal signs of withdrawal, changes in mood or overwhelm, staying connected and normalizing seeking support during the transition period.
At Park Mental Health, our goal is to deliver life-changing care for clients by working closely with medical professionals to create a customized treatment plan that provides the change to start feeling like yourself again. If you or someone you know is struggling during this graduation season, please call (866) 420-2524 or email us at: info@mentalhealthtreatmentsandiego.com.
