For parents for teens and young adults with chronic mental illness, the period of transitioning into adulthood can be particularly emotional. Caregivers may experience fears and frustrations in trying to keep their loved one stable and safe, yet understand that they must slowly relinquish control as their loved one transitions into adulthood.

Most caregivers realize that early planning is essential. This can ensure a support system is in place to provide a smooth transition for the loved one to function with increasing independence. Here are a few tips to help:

1. Encourage increased independence to manage health care needs. This may include attending most appointments alone, tracking appointments on their phone, reaching out for help from the treatment team when needed. It can also include medication-related tasks, such as picking up the prescriptions from the pharmacy and setting a reminder to take daily medications.
2. Remain engaged with youth’s treatment team and offer to assist them in ways that would allow your loved one to keep on their treatment.
   
   Generally, treatment providers need family/caregiver input and assistance in working with young adults. Introduce yourself to the treatment providers and remain engaged. Some caregivers may assume that they are no longer needed after age 18, when the adult system of providers may emphasize the adult needs of the young adult. It may require extra effort to ensure that you are engaged.
   
   Young adults would need to provide consent to allow health care providers to maintain contact with you. Talk with the treatment team before their 18^th birthday about this important detail.
    
3. Get assistance. Consider requesting a caseworker through your provider or through your community’s Medicaid Health Home program to assist your young adult with navigating the health care system. For young adults who have disabilities that impair their life skills, consider guardianship to assist them.
    
4. Encourage education or vocational pursuits depending on the young adult’s individualized interests and skill set.
   
   If pursuing education, assist your loved one to identify the office at their school that provides support services for students with disabilities. This is important because your loved love may require accommodations to ensure they are successful.
   
   Many states have psychosocial rehabilitation programs which offer structured daily activities, job preparation and training for young adults. Also consider a psychosocial clubhouse through Clubhouse International, where young people with serious mental illness will find a welcoming community of peers.
    
5. Get support and remember you and your loved one are not alone. Consider attending a meeting of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter in your area. NAMI provides support and education to people with mental illness and their families. Videos of young people in recovery from mental illness, among many other informational resources, can be found on the Center for Practice Innovations website. Your loved one may find an online community of peers helpful. One such example is Strong365.