5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Best Time for Young Adults to Access Care

When is the best time to access care for mental health challenges? There’s a simple answer to that question: as soon as possible, because the longer a mental health issue remains untreated, the more serious it can become. That said, for young adults and their families who have been considering treatment, summer is often the easiest and most convenient time to access the care that’s needed.

Spending several weeks at a residential treatment center during the summer can set young adults up for a positive and rewarding year—and give them powerful tools for navigating the inevitable stressors and challenges of life. After treatment, they can stay connected while attending college or working, through continuing care and alumni support groups.

Key Takeaways

• Summer can be the most convenient time for a young adult to access residential or outpatient treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.
• This is also the season when untreated issues can get worse, due to loneliness, FOMO, and lack of structure.
• Participating in treatment during the summer can help minimize interruptions to a young adult’s college attendance.
• Treatment that strengthens executive functioning and life skills helps set young adults up for a successful fall.

Why Start Mental Health Treatment During the Summer?

If you or your young adult child is experiencing any of these 10 red flags associated with mental health issues, residential treatment this summer might be the right option.

Here are six reasons why the summer months are often the easiest times for young adults to overcome obstacles to care and access the treatment they need to thrive.

1. Summer is a more convenient time to step away from activities and responsibilities.

For young adults who are on college vacation, the summer months are more likely to be unstructured and unplanned. That makes it simpler to enter treatment; there’s no need to take a leave of absence from college. Summer jobs or internships can be cancelled or postponed more easily than year-round activities. And while talking about treatment is a powerful way to reduce the stigma around mental health, accessing care during the summer means you have a choice about when and how much you want to reveal, rather than being required to share sensitive information with a college administration.

2. The unstructured summer months can make mental health issues worse.

For young adults in college, the long summer break can make existing issues worse. While college can be hard for students who are struggling with their well-being, it also provides goals, purpose, and a sense of community. Without that structure and social connection, young adults can experience more loneliness, depression, FOMO, and anxiety. There’s also the risk of increased drug use and drinking in summer, which can lead to a substance use disorder. Seeking care in summer prevents problems from escalating, while helping young adults find long-term recovery from underlying issues that often get worse in summer.

3. It’s often easier during the summer to access treatment quickly.

People who are struggling often avoid seeking treatment in the summer, hoping that things will get better on their own. But that’s not typically the case with untreated mental health conditions. So when fall comes around, many people begin the process of accessing care. That means that in the fall, the admissions process can be lengthier and the waitlists longer. In the summer, it’s often easier to expedite the admissions process and access open beds in residential care.

4. Young adults gain the skills to support a positive transition back to school or the workplace.

Along with healing the underlying trauma that catalyzes mental health disorders and behavioral issues, accessing treatment in the summer gives young adults the tools they need to go back to school or work strong. Instead of the rocky and tumultuous start that they may have experienced in the past, they can step into the new school year or a new job with enhanced skills for emotional regulation, relationship building, and executive functioning. At Newport Institute, we don’t just address symptoms; we give young people a toolkit for pursuing their academic and career goals and connecting with themselves, their family and friends, and their larger community.  

5. Treatment can be the most meaningful and memorable experience a young adult has ever had.

Treatment isn’t a vacation, but it’s an experience that young people will never forget. While it’s hard work, it’s also incredibly rewarding. Within a supportive community of peers, teens and young adults often feel a sense of belonging and connection they’ve never felt before. At Newport Institute, participating in experiential modalities, like Adventure Therapy and music therapy, gives young adults time with caring friends and time outdoors in nature—two of the best parts of summer. And young adults can stay connected with a supportive community through alumni programming, online and in person.

Young Adult Mental Health Treatment at Newport Institute This Summer

If you’re ready to start on the path to healing this summer, the first step is to contact Newport Institute. Our experts can complete a full assessment and provide treatment options. Newport Institute provides specialized residential care for young adults to help them learn healthy coping skills, strengthen family relationships, and build resilience.

In summary, many young people and families find that accessing treatment during the summer months is more convenient than during the year. There’s no need to take a leave of absence from college, and summer jobs or internships can be cancelled or postponed more easily than year-round activities. In the fall, young adults can go back to school or work with stronger self-awareness, better coping skills, and a support network of caring peers.

Start the healing journey today. Contact us for a free mental health assessment.

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