At this time, there is no cure for mental illness. But there are many very effective treatments such as medication and psychotherapy. With appropriate treatment and support, recovery is not only possible, but highly likely.

Continue to urge your friend to seek help. Facing that you might have mental health issues can be very challenging for many reasons. You could offer to go with him to talk to someone. There are also several websites and phone numbers on the NAMI website that your friend can use to get information and support anonymously.

When depression continues over a period of time, you may need help to deal with it effectively. It is not something that we can will ourselves out of and into recovery. Additionally, it may take some time to find good interventions like medication and the right type of psychotherapy to create an effective treatment plan.

Don’t stop trying to talk to them. But know that it’s not that they don’t care about you. They likely don’t have the education that you and your friends are getting in health class and might not fully understand. You could try talking to a counselor or anyone at your school, your doctor or another adult in your life.

You can encourage her to talk to another adult such as a teacher, coach or counselor. There are also several websites and phone numbers listed on our NAMI DuPage website that you and your friend can use to get information on how to receive support anonymously. If your friend mentions having suicidal thoughts, talk to them about it and listen without judgment; but most importantly, TELL a trusted adult as soon as possible. It is not a betrayal of your friendship to get help for your friend during this critical time. Always remember to ACT:

A – Acknowledge your friend is suffering

C – Care by telling that you are concerned for their well-being, and

T – Tell a trusted adult immediately.

No, but many people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy works best for them or their loved one. There are also many alternative types of treatment for mental illness. Sometimes people are able to manage their illness through coping skills and a strong support network. However, it’s best to discuss your options with your doctor and determine your treatment plan together.

It depends on the individual, the severity of their symptoms and whether or not other forms of treatment are effective at helping the individual manage their symptoms. The decision to stop taking medication is definitely one that should only be made in consultation with your doctor.

Many people try stopping their medication when they begin to feel better—but often the symptoms come back. With mental illness, many people learn that if they feel better, it just means they have found the right treatment combination, and if they want to keep feeling better, they need to continue taking their medication.

About half of all individuals with mental illness began to show symptoms by age 14. Sometimes people can start to show signs as early as four or five. With about 75 percent of all individuals beginning to show symptoms by age 24, it is most common for mental illness to begin sometime before an individual reaches their late 20s. However, although people might start experiencing symptoms early in life, it commonly takes many years, even decades for some people to seek treatment. Early intervention makes for easier friendships, school work, and family life.