Here for you, your loved ones and friends
Seeing someone you care about struggle with alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts or mental health can be tough. Many of us want to help a friend or loved one, but don't know where to start. That’s why Your Life Iowa is here for you. 24/7.
If you’d like to explore additional resources on your own, start by clicking a button or tab below.
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Alcohol
About 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year substance use disorder (SUD), according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SUDs are characterized by recurrent use of alcohol or other drugs (or both) that results in significant impairment.
When a loved one or friend is experiencing a problem with alcohol use, it can also take a toll on your emotional, mental and physical health. For additional information and tools that can help, check out the following links to advocacy groups, education, local family groups and more.
- Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization Official 12-step program site for people seeking solutions to their problems, who come from an alcoholic or other drug-affected home.
- Al-Anon/Alateen Website for families and friends of alcoholics. (national resource)
- Al Anon Family Facebook Group
- How to help an older adult with substance abuse problems Hazelden publication
- Involuntary Commitment or Treatment Proceedings for the involuntary commitment or treatment of a chronic substance abuser to a facility - Law from the Iowa Code beginning with Chapter 125, Section 75 continuing through Chapter 125 Section 92.
- Iowa Al-Anon/Alateen Local Iowa Family Groups and resource page created by a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope.
- National Association for Children of Addiction (NACA)
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) Advocacy group for all children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Sponsors Children of Alcoholics Week each February.
Whether you want more information about alcohol use, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.
Drugs
When a loved one or friend is experiencing a problem with drug use, it can also take a toll on your emotional, mental and physical health. For additional information and tools that can help, check out the following links to advocacy groups, education, local family groups, and more.
- The Danger of Fake Pills Your Life Iowa webpage with information and images about fake prescription pills and their related risks.
- Talk. They Hear You. SAMHSA resource on how to talk to your teen about substance use.
- Above the Influence Teen perspective and facts to help support teenagers in making good decisions.
- Alliance for Consumer Education Alliance for Consumer Education site. Information for parents and the media, resources, toolkit.
- Get Smart about Drugs (GSAD) Resource for parents, includes information on drugs and paraphernalia, trends.
- How to talk to someone who abuses alcohol or other drugs Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation resource page that provides extensive information on how to have conversations with individuals who are struggling with addiction.
- Learn to Cope Non-profit organization that provides a support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope to parents and family members coping with a loved one's addiction to opioids.
- Nar-Anon Family Groups A program for families and friends of persons with addiction.
- National Inhalant Prevention Coalition Information on inhalants and huffing, statistics, how to recognize signs of inhalant use, tips for teachers, products abused as inhalants, FAQs, prevention campaign, Spanish version.
Whether you want more information about drug use, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.
Gambling
When a loved one or friend is experiencing a problem with gambling, it can also take a toll on your emotional, mental and physical health. People don't always gamble just for the money. They also gamble because they seek to escape boredom, stress, grief or a troubled relationship. Because they need time to not worry. Because they’re tired, depressed or emotionally drained. Or because they might be lonely or grieving.
If you have a loved one affected by problem gambling, you’re not alone. 1-800-BETS-OFF from Your Life Iowa offers free, confidential support whenever you need it. When you contact us, you can learn strategies to help you and your loved one, including how to:
- Confront and stop enabling behaviors
- Restore normal life routines
- Reinforce appropriate actions for recovery
- Distance yourself from the problem behavior
- Not blame yourself for the problem and take responsibility for your own life
Whether you want more information about problem gambling, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.
Suicide
Many of us want to help a friend or loved one, but don't know where to start.
You may be wondering how to help someone you care about who may be suicidal. This can be a frightening concern and people often wonder what they can do while worrying about doing the wrong thing. But you can save a life by asking a simple question, “Are you thinking about suicide?”
With this single question, we can let someone we care about know we’re there for them. No matter what. When you need help talking to a loved one about suicide, contact Your Life Iowa right away. WE CAN HELP YOU HELP YOUR LOVED ONES.
Getting help is always the best choice.
Here are other important actions you can take:
- Be aware of and learn the suicide warning signs.
- Get involved and show interest and support.
- Ask the person if they are having thoughts of suicide.
- Be direct and use the word “suicide” or “killing yourself.”
- Be willing to listen and accept the person’s feelings.
- Don’t judge the person for their feelings or thoughts, or lecture them.
- Never dare them to “just do it.”
- Try to avoid “why” questions – these tend to make people defensive.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy; it will be important for you and the person who may be thinking of suicide to have additional support.
- Do offer hope that alternatives to suicide are available.
- If there are lethal means to suicide available, remove the means. Get help from agencies specializing in crisis and suicide prevention.
Here are some ways to be helpful to someone who is thinking about suicide:
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Don’t dare them to do it.
- Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
- Take action. Remove means, such as firearms or stockpiled pills.
If you believe someone is at risk for suicide or has made a suicide attempt:
- Don't leave the person alone.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room yourself.
- Try to find out if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or may have taken an overdose.
- Tell a family member or friend right away what's going on.
Important facts to remember:
- Suicide is preventable. Most people do want to live, but are unable to see through their pain to what other choices they have.
- Talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal.
- You can help save a life by caring, listening and acting to get help.
Contact Your Life Iowa
We are here to help you deal with suicidal thoughts that you or a loved one may be having. Our caring experts are available to listen to you. We are here for you and your call is confidential.
Actively Listen
Really listen to what the person is saying, because you care about them. Be attentive to their words and sensitive to their emotions. You can also summarize what the person is saying to make sure you understand by repeating a paraphrase of what they've said. Be engaged with the person and use eye contact. You're concerned for their health and safety so it's good to really hear where they are coming from.
Watch for Warning Signs
People who are dealing with thoughts about suicide can feel trapped. They can feel out of control and have no way to escape from their crisis. Be aware of feelings like this. If you’re worried for yourself for a friend, call us at Your Life Iowa any time.
Whether you want more information about suicide and suicide prevention, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.
Adult Mental Health
Have you noticed a change in a loved one or friend? Maybe they’ve seemed sad or irritable for a long period of time. Maybe they’ve withdrawn from social activities and things they used to love doing. Maybe they’ve had a dramatic change in their sleeping or eating habits.
No matter the change, you can always reach out to Your Life Iowa to help get the needed support for your friend or family member.
When helping those we care about, it’s important to care for your own mental health needs too. See our tips for self-care here.
Other resources
- If your family member or friend is in crisis, see our crisis services page.
- Learn about the wide range of services Community Mental Health Centers provide and find a nearby center here.
- From education to connecting with treatment services and supports, Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services regions are here for you and your family. For information and to find your region, visit the facility locator.
Whether you want more information about adult mental health, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.
Children's Mental Health
When children are experiencing mental health changes, it can be stressful for the child – and the whole family. Changes in a child’s mental health can affect the way children learn, behave and handle their emotions, impacting their life at home, school and more.
Learn more about the resources available to help support children’s mental health.
When caring for a child experiencing mental health symptoms, it’s important to care for your own mental health needs too. See our tips for self-care here.
Other resources
If your family member or friend is in crisis, see our crisis services page. To learn how to talk to your teen about thoughts of suicide, download our free conversation guide.
From education to connecting with treatment services and supports, Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services regions are here for you and your family. For information and to find your region, visit this page.
Whether you want more information about children’s mental health, would like to connect to a treatment professional or just want to talk to someone, we’re here for you. Call us, text us or chat with us online.