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David Lawrence Centers believes that a strong support system can be one of the most valuable assets in the recovery journey of people with mental illness or addiction. That’s why we recently launched our free weekly Family Night to help educate adult friends and family members of clients admitted to our inpatient Crisis Stabilization Unit.

Family Night helps turn loved ones into a treatment resource, building and maintaining positive relationships in a safe and therapeutic healing environment. The educational meetings are held on Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 pm and refreshments are served.

During the sessions, family members learn how to address their loved one’s needs, how to offer support and encouragement, and how they can become advocates for themselves and their loved ones. Equally helpful, families connect with other families experiencing similar issues.

Caregivers learn how to play a role in helping a loved one through a crisis. Specifically, they find out about local resources, how to help someone who may not have access to care or doesn’t want help, and how to effectively put into practice different treatment recommendations.

Family members of clients who have been admitted to our Crisis Unit often express feelings of uncertainty, saying they’re unsure how to approach the challenges ahead. They often wonder about the best way to support a family member on their journey to wellness and recovery. The valuable knowledge provided during Family Night sessions provides practical insight and understanding. Caregivers better understand the issues their loved ones face, such as those associated with challenging emotions, behaviors and thoughts; how to recognize future warning signs; and how and when to intervene early to avoid re-admission and support recovery and wellness.

Whether it’s how to communicate with the school on a child’s behalf or how to help an adult navigate the process of getting their life needs met, David Lawrence Centers staff is on hand to offer hope and take the fear and guesswork out of coping positively with a loved one’s mental health crisis and ongoing treatment.

Through understanding available treatments, therapies, medications and resources, as well as knowing how to intervene and whom to contact if you notice changes in your loved one’s mood, now concerned loved ones are learning how to help alleviate symptoms of mental illness, reduce the risk of suicide and improve the entire family’s well-being.