For many young people, the evolution from adolescence into adulthood is a time of tremendous transformation, as teens leave the security and dependency of their younger selves to step into the greater responsibilities and freedoms of adulthood.
Although many individuals manage this transition smoothly, a significant portion of the population struggles during this pivotal time. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that one in five adults aged 18-25 experienced mental illness in the previous year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 75% of all lifetime mental illnesses develop by age 24. There is no question that this heightened stage of life can be fraught, challenging, and painful, even for the most resilient of people. For individuals grappling with mental health issues, managing the mounting pressures of impending adulthood can simply be too much to bear.
From a socio-cultural perspective, the concept of the “emerging adult” is relatively new, having only been named in 2000 by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett. He coined the term as an identifier for a new stage of human development, one that has only really developed within the last 60 years. As we come to understand more about this impactful and momentous stage of development, so too can we pinpoint how it affects mental health. Moreover, when we consider exacerbating issues such as climate change, global pandemics, and a looming economic crisis, it becomes clear that today’s young adult population is dealing with an unprecedented amount of anxiety, stress and worry.
At Paradigm Treatment, we help young people who are struggling to cope with the mental health issues they may be facing at this crucial time. Perhaps they were once straight-A students and high achievers, who, since starting college, have watched their grades plummet as they find it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning. Maybe they struggled in high school with bullying and as young adults in college or in the workforce, find themselves alienated, insecure, anxious and lonely. Perhaps they experienced ongoing trauma, grief or loss in their young lives, and looming adulthood has become a kind of trigger, rendering symptoms of PTSD or feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness, or depression. Regardless of each and every individual’s unique constellation of issues, at Paradigm we recognize just how challenging this phase of life is, and how vital proper care and mental health treatment can be.
As such, we have built out a robust, highly tailored program for young adults aged 18-26, designed to help clients increase their self-awareness, heal from past traumas, learn vital coping strategies, life skills, and interpersonal tactics, all while discovering their unique, inherent strengths along the way. Our skilled medical, clinical, and psychological staff are primed to support each and every client, and from the very minute a client enters our program, they are assigned a team that is specially crafted for their personal needs and goals. At Paradigm, we focus on helping clients build meaningful lives, and skills to handle whatever comes their way long after they complete our program.