Relationships
Navigating Relationships with Family & Friends
NAMI Knowledge Article: How do I help a stranger online who is exhibiting signs of mental illness? When someone is suffering, it can be difficult for them to remember that people care. You could be the important link that someone needs to get connected to treatment and support that they need.
NAMI Boundary Setting Tips learn about different types of boundaries and how to set boundaries with people in your life.
NAMI Video - 3 things to know this video discusses 3 things people who experience a mental illness would like you to know.
NAMI Video - My Dad Has Bipolar Disorder - I Love Him listen as Theo Bennett opens up about growing up with a dad who has bipolar disorder.
Alateen is a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. There are also Alateen meetings in the Mobile App for young people aged 13 to 18 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. The website also has stories of teenagers who have a person in their life with alcoholism. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) is an Australian website that offers online resources explaining a parent's mental illness to children.
Mental Health is Health - Be there for them friends and family are often the first to notice when someone we care about is struggling. When we’re worried that a loved one is having a hard time, it’s important to trust our instincts and reach out. Here are tips and resources to help start the conversation, offer support and also look after ourselves in the process.
National Association for Children of Addiction assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups. Gives facts about alcohol and drug use.
Trevor Project - Black & LGBTQ: Approaching Intersectional Conversations if you’re considering engaging with people who identify as non-Black in your life about your identities, it’s important to remember that the process of having difficult conversations does not begin or end with the discussion itself. Here are some approaches to consider before, during, and after a difficult conversation to make sure the dialogue — and your mental health — stays safe.
Young Men’s Health Healthy Relationships Guide provides information on healthy relationships and strategies to communicate honestly and effectively with friends, family, and romantic partners.
Navigating Romantic Relationships
NAMI Romantic Relations page offers information and support for navigating romantic relationships with a mental health condition.
Half of Us - Press Pause Video - The Ex Factor most of us have spent a little too much time obsessing over an ex's social media updates. It's natural to want to know what is going on with our exes, but paying too much attention can make us feel stressed, anxious and stuck. If this sounds too familiar, take a second to Press Pause and figure out your next best step.
Jed Foundation - The Painful Truth About Breakups it’s natural to struggle with difficult feelings, like anger or depression, at least for a while after a breakup. As painful as breakups can be, there are healthy ways to deal with and get over a breakup.
Love is Respect provides information about healthy relationships, setting boundaries, identifying warning signs of dating violence, and ensuring personal safety. They also offer confidential support for teens, young adults, and their loved ones seeking help, resources, or information related to healthy relationships and dating abuse in the US. They are available by texting “LOVEIS” to 22522, call (866) 331-9474, or live chat online.
Young Men’s Health Healthy Relationships Guide provides information on healthy relationships and strategies to communicate honestly and effectively with friends, family, and romantic partners.
Talking about Mental Health
NAMI Knowledge Article: My parents don't understand. How can I talk to them about my mental health? You have taken a great first step! It’s important to talk about the mental health challenges you’re experiencing and to ask for help. These conversations can be tough, but they’re critical. You deserve help and support to care for your mental health.
NAMI Finding a Trusted Adult fact sheet provides information on reaching out about mental health and choosing someone to confide in.
NAMI - Teens Page is a resource that is focused on finding help, how to talk to your friends, how to talk to your parents or guardian, social media and mental health, and your mental health and school.
NAMI - Teens - How to Talk to My Parents or Guardian if you're a teen, go here to read our tips on how to start the conversation with your parent or guardian.
NAMI - Teens - How to Talk to My Friends if you're a teen, go here to read our tips on how to open up to your friends about your mental health.
NAMI - How to Disclose Your Mental Health Condition when it comes to disclosing the details of your mental health, there is no one “right” way to share. Read our tips on how to talk about your mental health to your college, employer, and significant other.
NAMI - Say it Out Loud created by young people for young people, NAMI Say It Out Loud is a free online card game that will bring you closer to your friends through conversation prompts about life, relationships, and mental health. Best played on a mobile device, among 3-6 people, NAMI Say It Out Loud is made up of three card decks – Whisper It, Say It, and Shout It – with prompts that start at the surface and dig deeper as you play. From questions about what makes you cringe to how you bring up your own mental health with friends, NAMI Say It Out Loud helps you explore how you and your friends approach mental health and well-being.
NAMI Video - A Proud Path to Mental Health members of the LGBTQ+ community share stories dealing with social stigma, hopelessness, and living with mental illness, which affects so many LGBTQ+ individuals across the country. Outsized obstacles to mental health exist for LGBTQ+ youth and adults, like figuring out how to access mental health care when friends, family, and
even institutional structures are unsupportive. Hear how joining a mental health community like NAMI has helped individuals find a source of hope, lifelong friendship, self-love, and a proud path to mental health.
NAMI Video - POV: You attend a NAMI NYC meetup in Central Park looking for support in your mental health journey? Watch this video to learn more about attending a NAMI NYC meetup in Central Park.
NAMI Video - Ros and Jonny: Community Creates Hope friendship and community help so many who struggle with mental illness find strength and hope. Ros and Jonny met in college and have been there for each other ever since. Sharing a passion for mental health advocacy, they have joined forces with NAMI to help their Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQ+ peers discover the NAMI community and ignite the light of hope in their own lives.
Jed Foundation - Friendships friends are vital to our mental well-being because they can improve our confidence and self-worth. Sometimes when we’re struggling our friends are the first to notice something is off because they know us so well.
Seize the Awkward Video - Noah Cyrus Noah Cyrus on the inspiration behind her song "Lonely" and the importance of talking to friends about mental health.
Trevor Project - TrevorSpace offers an affirming, online community for LGBTQ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old. With members from around the world, you can explore your identity, get advice, find support, and make friends in a moderated community intentionally designed for you.