When you’ve had the same mental health care since you were a child, it’s natural to get used to how things work. You know your providers, and you don’t have to think too much about the process. If there isn’t a smooth transition to adult care, it can feel like a sudden, confusing change to treatment you’ve relied on for years.
Building your own mental health care team once you turn 18 protects your privacy. It gives you a real say in your own care, instead of decisions being made around you by people you didn’t choose. It’s a big responsibility, and it can be a steep learning curve, especially if your parents have handled most of this for you so far.
This article will explain what you need to know about this transition, including:
Leaving high school is a key life transition that changes many aspects of your life. You might be:
This change can affect your home, friends, and finances, but it also changes how you receive healthcare.
Mental health care has to change after high school because services are different for adolescents and adults. Pediatric and adult mental health organizations usually operate completely separately, with different staff and procedures.[1]
Adult mental health providers don’t put as much emphasis on family involvement. While teenagers receiving psychiatric support will have their parents and families involved, adult mental health care services will communicate solely with you. This is because, when you’re an adult, your privacy and autonomy are legally protected.[1]
There are exceptions to that. If you are severely ill and unable to take responsibility for your care, providers may seek guidance from selected family members. But in most cases, turning 18 with a mental health condition means you’re in charge of your care.[1]
One of the main problems with a transition of healthcare is that it’s not always carried out smoothly. Your care can be interrupted right when you need it most. For instance, there could be a big gap between ending with one therapist and starting with another. This can disrupt education and work, and put strain on your relationships.[1]
It can also be difficult because of the steep learning curve. Young people may suddenly be expected to:[2]
This transition can be emotionally challenging on its own, and it can make symptoms you already have feel worse. For example, you may develop senior year anxiety or post-graduation depression because so much responsibility comes at you all at once.
Building an adult mental health care team isn’t the only stressor that comes after graduation. The wider transition to adulthood can involve:[3]
These challenges can all add to the pressures of having to build an adult mental health care team.[3]
Despite the challenges that come with this transition, there are real benefits too.
Pediatric healthcare providers aren’t trained to care for adult bodies and minds. You may have formed close, meaningful relationships with the people who provided treatment for you as a teenager. But the best care for you now will come from services built specifically for adults.[2]
An adult mental health care team is very similar to what you will have had as an adolescent or child. It’s a group of professionals who support your emotional health. There’s no set number of professionals, and they may span multiple different services.[4]
It all depends on your specific needs and diagnosis. Many people start with just one or two providers and build from there as their needs become clearer.[4]
In the U.S., mental health services use the collaborative care model, which combines behavioral health and general medical services. This saves money, provides a holistic approach, reduces stigma, and improves health outcomes. It also means that you can have a multidisciplinary team of professionals around you.[2]
At the center of a collaborative care team is your primary care provider (PCP), who is your main doctor. The team can also include:[4]
Not everyone needs every type of specialist listed above. Your primary care provider can help you figure out which ones apply to your situation.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Building a health care team might sound like you have to invite a room full of professionals together to talk about your health. That’s not really how it works. Building a mental health care team as an adult means having good communication with different service providers.[2]
A mental health care team needs to know about you, your symptoms, history, and goals. You’ll need to understand:
Now that you’re an adult, building your team will require certain paperwork and other administrative procedures you’ll need to handle yourself.
Yes, and it’s advised to include your family as much as you need. Research into transitions from adolescent to adult mental health care finds that family involvement is fundamental.[5]
You can ask your family to support you with many aspects of this process. One area where support can be particularly helpful is in developing a crisis plan. As your family knows you and your mental health condition so well, they’ll be able to contribute to conversations about crises and know what kind of support you’ll be likely to need.
In addition, if your parents have been handling insurance and administrative matters up to this point, they can teach you how these things work. Being an adult doesn’t mean you have to figure it all out on your own.
This transition process won’t happen overnight. Experts recognize that it can take several years for young people to learn and practice the necessary skills for managing their own care.[2]
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Los Angeles & San Diego areas.
Take a look at our Minneapolis-St. Paul area homes in Hennepin County.
View our facilities in Loudoun County, VA within the DC metro area.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues and greater independence, support is available. At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer tailored treatment programs to foster sustainable change for adolescents and their families.
Whether you could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations or something more flexible, like an outpatient mental health program delivered virtually, our team can help. We work with you to create a custom treatment plan that incorporates evidence-based therapeutic approaches and innovative interventions for long-term healing.
If you’re in need of referrals for adult mental health treatment providers, we can also support you in finding the right care for your needs.
Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Learn more about our admissions process online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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