A mental health intervention involves a meeting between a person struggling with their mental health or substance abuse and that person’s family members and closest friends. The goal of the meeting is for these loved ones to persuade the individual to seek help.
Mental health interventions can be effective if performed correctly and at the correct time. If they’re not planned well, however, the person they’re trying to help may feel like they’re being ganged up on. Here, we explore the subject of psychiatric interventions in more depth. We highlight some signs a person needs an intervention and how to plan an effective one.
Identifying Signs Someone Needs Help
Psychiatric interventions are usually held after several people have already tried to talk to the person individually. A person may need help if they:
- Exhibit an increase in lying or dishonest behavior
- Undergo major changes in spending habits
- Lose interest in their usual hobbies or friend groups
- Have difficulty holding down a job
- Exhibit behavior that’s become a danger to their friends or family
- Experience declining physical health
- Shut down one-on-one conversations about treatment
Planning and Preparing for a Mental Health Intervention
If someone close to you needs an intervention, plan it carefully. Try to hold it at a neutral location, and schedule it for a time when the person the intervention is for is likely to be feeling their best. For example, if the intervention is for someone struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, choose a day and time when they’re likely to be sober.
Think about who should be present. You have a better chance of getting good results if you bring together several friends and family members the person likes and respects. Try to avoid including people who might create conflict.
Consider working with a mental health interventionist who can offer advice on setting, time, tone of voice and what to say.
Key Steps to Conducting an Effective Mental Health Intervention
Performing an intervention takes some thought and skill. An intervention specialist can help you plan the meeting and ensure it goes smoothly. Your interventionist explains what you should say and how to deal with some common responses.
To hold a successful intervention:
- Ensure all participants know what to expect. If involving children or elderly people in the intervention, give them a chance to talk to the interventionist first. This helps prepare them for any tension or emotion that might occur when the meeting takes place.
- Think carefully about what you plan to say. Tone of voice is important during mental health interventions, and so is wording things carefully. It’s common for the subject of the intervention to become defensive or to shut down. Focus on how much you care about the person and want to see them healthy and happy again.
- Avoid labels. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 28.9 million people aged 12 or older struggled with alcohol use disorder in 2023. Despite the prevalence of alcoholism, a stigma still exists around mental health and substance abuse, and many people don’t want to be seen as “an alcoholic” or someone with a mental health condition.
- Rehearse some common responses. Nobody can predict how the intervention will go. Some people are receptive when they’re calmly shown the facts and can see multiple people feel the same way. Others might try to negotiate, battle or lash out at the people present. Try to remember that the subject of the intervention is experiencing intense fear and may even feel shame. Rehearse some replies to common responses so you can stay calm.
- Follow your interventionist’s lead. Your interventionist is there to lead, not take over. They can help you keep the meeting on track, de-escalate conflict and even call 911 if the situation requires it.
- Have some treatment suggestions ready. The goal of the intervention is to persuade the person you’re meeting with to seek treatment. That could be drug or alcohol rehab, therapy or a mental health assessment. Have some resources on hand. Ideally, be armed with a few options so the person you’re talking to can make a choice.
- Have a plan for after the intervention. In an ideal world, you hold an intervention, your loved one gets treatment and everyone lives happily ever after. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out that way. Everyone who’s a part of the intervention should consider what they’ll do if their loved one doesn’t get help. Whatever boundaries they decide to place on the relationship going forward should be calmly and consistently enforced.
Post-Intervention Support Options
The intervention can be a fraught and challenging event, but it’s not the end of the battle. If your loved one enters treatment, their road to recovery may not be a straight line. If they don’t enter treatment, you need to protect your well-being while making it clear you can be there for them if they ever decide to get help.
Many rehabs and mental health programs offer group or family therapy, and as part of your loved one’s recovery, you may be invited to these sessions. They can be an effective way to learn how to support your loved one and to rebuild trust if your relationship has been strained due to their illness or addiction.
Reach Out
At Mental Health Hotline, we can help people access free and confidential assistance 24-7. We also have a wealth of resources available for loved ones struggling to help others. Contact us today to be put in touch with care providers in your area.
