According to a study lead by the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.5% of persons over the age of 18 in the United States experienced any type of mental illness in a given year. The survey did not discriminate based on degree of debilitation or whether it yielded "serious functional impairment" although in specific age groups, "young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of [mental illness of any kind]" at 22.1%.
This is just one statistic out of dozens that discusses YA (young adult) risk of having maladaptive mental health attributes. Though it can be argued that these results are indicative of a parenting crisis, wherein parents aren't raising their kids to be independent and when they reach adulthood they cannot handle responsibility.
I find these stats always reflect more on the culture we live in rather than a reflection of young adults being raised improperly. I’m not going to talk about the responsibilities I hear the average high school student has and how that immediately disproves this statement, no I would never do that. Instead, I’m going to discuss the ways and means a person can be there for a loved one in their age group who suffers from any kind of mental illness and how to take care of yourself in the process, based on my experience.
The person of interest here doesn't need to just be a romantic partner, a close friend or even a roommate would work here as well, but this article assumes its readers are in close contact and emotional involvement with the person in question. Additionally, it's important to address that those who suffer from mental illness are not weak or meager in character. Their tolerance level for what they find stressful vs not is simply different from the next person, and this my allot for any type of disease. Your partner can mask their mental illness under dozens of layers and in a hundred ornaments, and this is because this disease is something your partner has it is not what who this person is.
Next, you will want to look out for your own well being at the same time, you may feel obligated to be the rock for the person you love, but that doesn’t mean you cannot sink down too. In any relationship, always explain what you're thinking so your partner doesn't have to guess. This article assumes you're both around the same age, don't feel as though you must parent them every step of the way, and that you're a terrible person if you don't feel this need. Your partner doesn't expect you to have your life totally together either, and admitting this may help ease their own pain.
To add to this, always get your partner’s consent of what kind of help they might want, if any at all. At the end of the day, it’s their decision to make if they want to seek counsel or prescriptions and it will be that much more powerful when they make the choice.
Finally, don’t let your partner feel like a pain or a strain on your life. Your feelings, whatever they are, are valid and should be handled accordingly, however, your partner is well aware that their mental health is an obstacle. It can be too much to bare to stand beside it silently looking in while they may feel trapped unable to wholly explain their pain. The world is a mess and terrible things happen for no reason, the best thing you can do is be there for your loved one, and be the best part of their world.
