Reaching out to others for help when you’re struggling with your mental health can be intimidating. Because of some of the stigma around mental health, you may not want others to know how you’re feeling. Or maybe you might feel ready to share, but not know who to go to or how to get help. In this blog, I’ll give some background information about mental health and well-being, talk about some signs that indicate you should consider reaching out to others for help, and give some ideas of first steps to take if you decide you’re ready to reach out for help.
So what is mental health?
Mental health is the state of how you feel emotionally and mentally. Everyone has mental health, and it’s an important factor in your overall well-being. Basically, having good mental health helps you to better enjoy life and deal with challenges that come up.
Mental health can be affected by life experiences, for better or for worse. Positive life experiences can help make your mental health better while challenging life experiences can make it harder to maintain positive mental health (stuff like relationships, physical health, the environment you live in).
Taking care of your mental health is a lot like taking care of your physical health – it takes practice, patience, and support from others.
Why bother working on your mental health?
There are a lot of benefits to being mentally healthy. Here are some examples:
Good mental health gives you a better ability to cope with tough experiences and stress.
It helps you have better self-esteem, which is important for feeling confident and having healthy relationships.
It helps build resilience, which is necessary for moving on after a difficult life event.
As we go through life, our mental health can change a lot. By the time we're 40, about half of us will have faced a mental health concern, which is twice as common as heart diseases.
So even if it feels like people around you may not relate to how you’re feeling, considering how common mental health challenges are, chances are some of the people around you have gone through something similar, or they have a friend or family member who has.
Now that we’ve talked about what mental health is and why it matters, let’s discuss some signs that your mental health needs some extra care, and when to seek professional help.
Feeling down, sad, anxious, or “off” for an extended period of time (this can be different for everyone, but if you’ve been feeling bad for over 2 weeks it can be indicative of a larger problem)
Trouble with eating or sleeping
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Stress or worry that’s interfering with your life
Unhealthy coping mechanisms (drugs, alcohol, excessive phone use)
Finding it hard to enjoy your life
Having thoughts and feelings that are hard to deal with that affect your daily life
Interested to find support
You may identify with a few items on this list or none at all, but if you have a feeling that something is going on and that you’d like to seek help, that’s reason enough to reach out.
If you’re unsure about asking for help, think of it this way; if your leg was broken, you wouldn’t hesitate to go see a doctor. Mental health, like physical health, is something that everybody has and that we all need to take care of. Talking about how you feel is the first step to getting help.
Feel free to check out more information on different types of mental illnesses here. Just remember, this is just for learning purposes. For a proper diagnosis and more details, it's best to chat with a professional.
So once you’ve decided to seek help, who should you talk to?
While everyone’s network and community can look different, here are some ideas of people that you could talk with to get support:
- family members
- friends
- mentors - a teacher, coach, faith leader in your religious community
- Professionals – a doctor or nurse, social worker, therapist
It's often helpful to talk to someone you trust, like a friend or family member, to get their advice and support in finding treatment. If you prefer to talk anonymously, you can reach out to a support group or helpline for assistance.
Takeaway
If you're feeling alone, remember that many people around you have likely experienced something similar, even if they don't talk about it openly. You're not alone in what you're going through.
Reaching out to others is the first step toward feeling better. Those who care about you will want to help, and there are qualified professionals who are dedicated to supporting you in feeling better.
There are plenty of ways to access support, so you can choose what feels right for you. Some options include texting a professional through a helpline or calling 811 for a referral. You could also have a chat with your doctor to discuss the best course of action.
Feel free to look through our website to explore free and affordable services near you!
Written by Katie Pallett-Wiesel, Youth Mental Health Resources Project Manager at the NDG Youth Table
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