How does a parent deal with a 21 year old that needs mental medical attention and will not seek help?

I know he's depressed. He's been through a lot within the past year. I'm afraid that he will start having suicidal thoughts soon. If he's not already having them. I need support groups.How does a parent deal with a 21 year old that needs mental medical attention and will not seek help?
You can have him committed is all you can do but when they check him out and if they do not think he is a danger to himself or others if you try again it will fall on deaf ears. but you may want to know that depression signs they do not see this alone as enough prove to put him/her in care. but being that he is 21 the best thing you can do is try and find the cause of his depression and offer him your support.How does a parent deal with a 21 year old that needs mental medical attention and will not seek help?
seek help with him... you might discover things about yourself too.
Where do you live? Most states have involentary commital laws for adults. If you feel your son is a significant danger to himself or someone else, and/or has voiced suicidal statements/homicidal statements, or cannot care for himself without significant assistance, he can be ';Baker Acted';, as it's called here, and be held for 3 days (or whatever it is in your state) for evaluation. You would have to speak to a psychiatrist, police officer or judge, in most instances.
It depends on the laws in your state, but if you believe that you can prove that he is a danger to himself or others, you can probably have him committed to treatment, involuntarily. Best of luck in a positive resolution to your problem.
being a mental health patient myself-no attempts in ten years! what he needs is alot of understanding and some space. when your in that frame of mind things do not always make alot of sense and everything you do is either wrong or that the world is out to get you. try having a open discussion with him and give him time and space to respond. look to a local mental health agencies for support. they often have therepy for both the patient and their families. again give him space but do not give him the ability to hurt himself. explain your concern in a non confrontational manner and then explain to him how this might devestate your family again in a loving and supportive environment. good luck!
Will he get help if you go with him? I have a seventeen year old daughter that I am in fear for sometimes, the decisions she makes worries me and I wonder if she needs help, but she doesn't think she is in need of anything except being left alone. I am at a loss at what to do except let her know I am here for her for as long as I can stand it.
u need to talk to him ask him whats up just because he wont get help doesnt meen u cant help him just go to a teripest tell them whats up and tell them he wont get help so ur gonna do it on ur own but u need help.and start being more sopportive just dont babie him thats the worst thing to do and i could help u to cuz i just got over thats stuf 2years ago and i know what goes on i peaples heads whene they think of that stuff so if u need ne thing just get a hold of me k
If you get really worried that he is a danger to himself, you can get him committed. Other than that, I don't really know how you can make him to seek help.
You can only ask that he seek out medical help. That is, unless you can prove he is a danger to himself/others.


Everyone handles stress differently. Everyone handles depression differently. It may be in his best interest to give him space to see if he can work it out himself. Just be ready to listen if he comes for advice and not force your opinions upon him.


You might think about a support group or a few sessions for yourself. Especially ones on dealing with loved ones with depression.


- You cannot force anyone to seek help, you can only offer it.
You need more than a support group, you as a parent need to get him medical help. I know it may be hard for you and you don't want to take him somewhere he doesn't want to go, but think about what could go wrong. You don't want to wait until it's too late to help your child. Suicidal thoughts are serious and if you think he will start having them soon who's to say he won't really act out on those thoughts. Please get him the help he needs and deserves and he will be better for it in the end.
Try calling your local hospital, ask about their support groups, they are free. As for the meds make sure that he is not taking drugs or alcohol! That can cause negative effects on the meds not to mention make him more depressed. I feel for you and your situation, I can't imagine as a parent to have a child who is ill and will not seek help. God bless and good luck
There are plenty of online communities. If push comes to shove, you could always have him put into a facility.. but that's not always what a person needs. No matter what he says or does, keep trying to talk to him... He may avoid you, but by your keeping it up, he'll know that you really do care about his well being. Just don't get aggrevated with his depression, or at least don't show it. If it's obvious that he's having suicidal thoughts, do something immediately. Good luck with your battle.