NAMI-GC College Outreach Program

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Questions about NCCOP? Want to help? Contact nccop@namigc.org.

For more information, referrals, support, and education about serious mental illness, call NAMI of Greater Chicago at (312) 563-0445, or visit the NAMI of Greater Chicago website, namigc.org.

What do I do if my child or friend is resisting treatment, or refuses to get help?

It is important to note that the symptoms of many serious mental illnesses make it more difficult for people to seek help or reach out when in need—often times a friend or relative who takes extra time and energy in getting a person to see a professional is what helps to start the recovery process.

A common symptom of serious mental illness is “agnosia,” or a lack of insight into how ill or need of help a person is—someone sufering from mental illness may not want to seek help, or may not think that they are experiencing any symptoms at all. This is where you as a friend, parent, partner, etc. can step in and advocate for your loved one. Sharing your concerns and sharing some resources with them, while also assuring them that you are there to listen and help, can make a big difference.

You ultimately cannot control another person’s actions, thoughts, or moods, so you cannot, without the help of a mental health professional (and in most cases, medication) make the symptoms of a mental illness go away. However, one way you can stay involved is by listening to and supporting your loved one's recovery in an intuitive way. You also know your friend/child/partner in a way that a mental health professional can’t, and sharing information with professionals can better enable them help your loved one.

It is important to note that symptoms of serious mental illness can be a medical emergency; if someone is speaking very rapidly, not making sense, very depressed, or out of control, and you are concerned that they are going to harm themselves or others, or that the illness is going to get worse, there are ways to get a person evaluated and into treatment involuntarily. For more information, please see this fact sheet on voluntary and involuntary treatment.