Helping Young Adults With Mental Health Concerns

Young Adults (aged 18-25) are faced with unique challenges in regards to their development and everyday stressors, including:

• The process of differentiation from parents
• Learning to regulate emotions
• Life transition into adulthood
• Decisions regarding their future—work, study and family
• Drug and alcohol use
• Developing and solidifying a sense of identity.

As a result, young adults often report increased stress, anxiety, irritability and low mood as they are navigating through this difficult period of their lives. It is important to be able to communicate with young adults in a compassionate and effective way. Here are some tips for providing support to the young adults in your life:

DO:

• Be warm, kind, and show genuine care

DON’T:

• Be dismissive of suicide or self-harm issues; comments such as “you have so much to live for” and “your family would suffer” can invalidate the person’s feelings
• Make assumptions about the young person’s experiences.

How Seed Psychology can help:
At Seed Psychology, we have a number of experienced psychologists who have extensive experience working with young adults who are struggling with their mental health.

Resources:

• ReachOut.com (youth mental health service)
• headspace (ages 12-25) – call 1800 650 890
• Kids Helpline (ages 5-25) – call 1800 55 1800
• 
Lifeline – call 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service (all ages) – call 1300 659 467

Written by Noor Alkazali, Psychologist at Seed Psychology