Young Adult Resource Center
Updated April 2026
About
Young people moving from adolescence into young adulthood are defined as transitional age youth. New tasks often include: moving away from family, becoming independent, developing one's identity, and learning to handle more complex relationships. For this age group, handling these tasks while adjusting to the start of college and/or moving into the working world can be challenging.
Making this transition with mental health issues may lead to an existing problem getting worse or triggering new problems. The need for support and treatment can be very important, but other factors, such as misinformation about mental illness, not knowing where to go, and finding health insurance can make it difficult for people to get help.
Families can play a critical role in helping young people see they are having a problem and encouraging them to get help. Families can also help find the mental health resources on college campuses, at their place of work, or in their community. For those who are in treatment, it is helpful if plans are in place before they leave for college, start a job, or move out on their own. With the right support and treatment, transitional age youth with mental illnesses can succeed at becoming healthy, productive, successful, and independent adults.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What steps should you take to get ready for college or work if you have a mental health issue?
Planning should start with treatment providers (doctors and therapists) as early as 1–2 years before the transition. Planning should include:
- practicing daily life skills - everything from managing money to taking care of hygiene
- learning about your diagnosis and what to tell employers, teachers, or school
- practicing taking charge of your healthcare, such as making appointments, filling prescriptions, taking medications consistently, learning how to use your health insurance
- learning where and how to get help, for example from your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the school’s Student Counseling and Student Disability Centers, or treatment providers in the new local community
How do you know when help is needed?
When starting college or a new job and living on your own for the first time, young people usually go through some ups and downs. Problems that last and make it difficult to study, work, take care of routine tasks or hygiene may be a sign of a more serious problem and the need for help. Other warning signs include: losing interest in activities or being social, worrying too much, extreme swings in mood, and problems with sleep.
How do you find mental health providers at college or nearby in the community?
Good resources include: Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), college counseling and student health centers, local hospitals/medical centers, doctors and therapists in private practice, and community mental health centers.
What are the rights of young adults in regard to keeping healthcare information confidential and the rights of parents in regard to getting healthcare information about their adult children?
Decisions on how much communication the young adult wants and will allow between their family and treatment providers should be made before the young person moves out of the family home or leaves for college. This should include the signing of consent forms by the young adult if they want their family to communicate with their treatment providers. Protection of personal health care information is determined by a set of federal laws known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) as well as state statutes. Another federal law called FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects student records and applies to college students. It is important to know that anyone with serious concerns about the health and safety of a family member or friend can always contact the local police, employee assistance program, or student health/counseling center of the young adult even without signed consent.
Are there tips that can help with being consistent with treatment, such as taking medication as recommended and/or keeping therapy appointments?
Practice (or have your child practice) taking care of mental health and medical needs while still in high school. For example, learn (or teach your child) how to use insurance, fill a prescription, and schedule and keep track of appointments. Taking advantage of technology such as one of the many available "Medication Reminder", "Appointment Reminder", and "Mood Log" apps can be very helpful. If possible, plan to meet with new treatment providers before ending treatment with your old providers and make sure to request communication between them.
What can be done when a young adult doesn't want help or doesn't think that they need help?
Keep communicating. Often young adults deny or do not understand that they have a mental health problem. Sometimes they need to hear it many times or from multiple people before they will listen and seek help. You may be the one to plant the seed that starts them on the road to getting help.
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Facts for Families
AACAP's Facts for Families provide concise up-to-date information about a variety of issues that affect children, adolescents and families. The following Facts for Families contain information that is especially pertinent to transitional age youth:
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Video Clips
More "In Our Own Words" videos:
The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal healthcare professionals.
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Clinical Resources
This Tip Sheet was developed to provide guidance for how child and adolescent psychiatrists can more effectively communicate and partner with young people.
Other Resources
Frequently Asked Questions for Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrists and Other Professionals Working with Transitional Age Youth with Substance use Disorders
Healthcare Transition Readiness Assessments
Life Skills Assessments
College Readiness Assessments
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Research and Training
Scientific Articles and Information
Wilens, T. & Rosenbaum, J. (2013)
Transitional Aged Youth: A New Frontier in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
JAACAP 52(9): 887-890.
Psychiatric Training and Clinical Care for College Mental Health
This 2015 special issue of Academic Psychiatry, volume 39(5), describes preparation and training of the college mental health workforce and the nuances of working within campus systems of care.
Transitional Age Youth and Mental Illness: Influences on Young Adult Outcomes
This 2017 volume of CHild and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, volume 26(2), aims to bridge the current state of knowledge about risk and resilience during the transition to adolescence fo ryoung people with mental illness with the need for developmentally-attuned and culturally-competent strategies to engage and maintain them in treatment.
McCabe, S.E., et al (2017)
Adolescents' Prescription Stimulant Use and Adult Functional Outcomes: A National Prospective Study.
JAACAP 56(3): 226-233
Han, B. et al (2018)
National Trends in the Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Young Adults and Receipt of Mental Healthcare Among Suicidal Young Adults.
JAACAP 57(1): 20-26
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Books and Articles
Teens and The Transition to College
Stephen Mateka, DO, New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (2024)
A Financial Checklist for Your Newly Minted High School Graduate
Ron Lieber, New York Times (2019)
The Virginia Tech Massacre: Strategies and Challenges for Improving Mental Health Policy on Campus and Beyond
Sood, A. & Cohen, R. (2015)
Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe
Shatkin, J. (2017)
Promoting Safe and Effective Transitions to College for Youth with Mental Health Conditions: A Case-Based Guide to Best Practices
Martel, A., Derenne, J., Leebens, P.K. (2018)
Promoting Successful Transition to Adulthood for Students with Disabilities
Morgan, R.L. & Riesen, T. (2016)
U Thrive: How to Succeed in College (and Life)
Lerner, D. & Schlechter, A. (2017)
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Getting Help
Taking control of your mental health and getting the help and support you need are among the most important things you can do on the road to becoming a successful adult. The support of family and friends can be a critical part of this process. Help is available in a number of different forms and from many sources.
- If you’re in school, check your college’s website for information on student health and wellness, counseling services, and disability resources.
- If you're at work, check what services are provided through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for problems that may impact your job performance, physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being
- If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless and having thoughts of suicide, there are many sources of help and support:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder
Related Websites
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Advocacy for access to services, treatment, and research for Americans affected by mental illness
- GotTransition - Information and tools for youth, families, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to support and improve transition from pediatric to adult healthcare
- Center for Parent Information and Resources - Hub of information and products for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities - topics include college and career readiness and transition to adulthood
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