The Help-Seeking Experiences of Family and Friends Who Support Young People With Mental Health Issues: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Little has been documented of the journey that family and friends (F&F) undertake when supporting a young person aged 12–25 years struggling with mental illness. The experiences of family and friends were explored using an online qualitative survey ( N = 58) and semi-structured interviews ( n = 15). Recruitment was through a national youth mental health service Facebook page and website. An experiential thematic analysis was conducted focusing on participants’ experiences and sense of their world. Strong feelings and challenging life circumstances made the context of help-seeking complicated. Despite following usual avenues for advice or support, F&F still came across professionals and a health/mental health system that compounded their distress. It was the simpler things that some professionals did that made their journey more bearable. Useful insights derived from the narratives allow service improvement recommendations such as reminding professionals of the multiplicity of stressors commonplace to families and the value of validation and acknowledgement.