When do we need mental health support?

The idea is to already have a support system in place. However, that is not always the reality for many and with the current pandemic crisis the need for more mental health has never been more critical.

In times of crisis, stress, trauma, and loss, seeking mental health support can be crucial for coping and healing. These challenging situations can take a toll on our emotional and mental well-being, and it’s important to recognize when we need help and seek it without hesitation. I wanted to share the benefits of seeking mental health support during difficult times and offer guidance on how to find the right resources. Mental health support has literally saved my life.

The Benefits of Seeking Support

Seeking mental health support during a crisis or difficult time can provide a range of benefits, including:

1. Coping Strategies: A mental health professional can help you develop strategies to manage your stress and anxiety, and provide guidance on how to cope with difficult emotions.
2. Improved Mental Health: Seeking mental health support can help prevent negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, and promote positive mental health.
3. Emotional Support: Mental health professionals can provide a safe and supportive space for you to talk about your feelings and emotions.
4. Objective Perspective: A mental health professional can offer an objective perspective on your situation and provide insights that can help you navigate your challenges.The

Finding the Right Mental Health Support

The most important lesson I learned from therapy was that I am responsible for everything I think, and feel, how I react, respond, and what I retain. This was life-changing.  We can control our emotions, we can learn to understand our trauma from the past and we can find a way forward to success and happiness. It takes EFFORT, awareness, a good attitude, self-compassion and self-care tools. If you’re seeking mental health support during a crisis, stress, trauma, or loss, it’s important to find the right resources.

First, we have to be willing to seek out help. Here are some tips to help you start:

1. Talk to Your Doctor: If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, talk to your doctor. They can provide guidance on the next steps and recommend a mental health professional. Sometimes we need medication, indeed. I know, I did in my darkest days. It helped get me through to a place where the depressing emotions were not running my life, though.
2. Research Mental Health Professionals: Research mental health professionals in your area and read reviews from past clients. This can help you find a mental health professional who is the right fit for you. Further, not everyone is a good therapist. You have to feel safe and trust your therapist, above all.
3. Ask for Recommendations: Ask friends and family members if they have any recommendations for mental health professionals. This can be a great way to find a professional who has already been vetted by someone you trust.
4. Check Your Insurance: If you have insurance, check to see what mental health services are covered. This can help you find a mental health professional who is affordable and within your budget.

In times of crisis, stress, trauma, and loss, seeking mental health support can be a crucial step toward healing and recovery. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and there are resources available to support you. Besides, it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help, but one of strength . WHY suffer? But I know men can have a particularly challenging time due to societal pressure, stigma, fear and shame.

By finding the right mental health professional, you can develop coping strategies, improve your mental health, receive emotional support, and gain an objective perspective on your situation. With the right support, you can navigate your challenges and find a path toward healing and hope.

It is a choice!  Having a choice is empowering.

If we don’t change what we are doing, then nothing is going to change in our lives and we are going to be stuck in that sadness, depression, anxiety, sadness, and loss. So ask yourself, “What is holding me back?’. Seek out a professional mental health provider and be willing to do the work.  Your life is worth living every single day. You are worth it. Never give up.