It’s not easy to ask for help, especially when it comes to mental health. But taking steps to access the right resources and services is a normal and healthy part of life. Here’s everything you need to know about seeking professional help when it comes to mental health, from understanding when and how it can benefit you to finding the right services and types of care.
1. Taking the First Step: A Guide to Seeking Mental Health Services
Mental health is essential for us to be at our best. But too often, going where we need to go to seek out support for our mental health seems like this daunting, scary process. We rack our minds with insecurity and anxiety, and can become paralyzed because of it. But no matter how seemingly overwhelming it can be, taking that first step to seeking out mental health services is nothing to be ashamed of — it’s something to be proud of.
At its core, acknowledging and accepting that you need help is an act of self-love. Here are a few guidelines that can help you on your journey to seeking out the help you need:
- Do Your Research: It’s very important to research the different services for mental healthcare available in your local area. You might be surprised and overwhelmed to find a variety of options. This might involve looking up therapists, clinics, rehabilitation centers, support groups and other resources.
- Consider Your Needs: Before pursuing any specific mental health service, clarify your needs and expectations. Unpacking what you need from a mental healthcare provider is essential to finding a provider that is the best fit.
- Seek Support: It’s possible you won’t feel comfortable answering questions or making big decisions about your mental health alone. That’s okay, and it’s important to reach out to trusted loved ones to accompany you on your journey.
- Make Contact: Once you have narrowed down your choices of providers and services that work best for you, get in touch. It may sound intimidating, but consider that taking the first step of simply expressing your needs is essential. Phone calls, emails, and even video conferencing are all great ways to make contact.
Accepting that our mental health needs care and attention is a powerful step for all of us. Taking the many small steps to seek out proper support not only shows us the courage we have to strive for our best — but also our understanding of how to take loving care of ourselves.
2. Identifying When and How to Access Professional Help
If you are feeling overwhelmed and are struggling to find resolution on your own, it is important that you consider the possibility of professional help from a therapist. Professional help can provide valuable insight and can assist you in understanding the contributing factors to your mental and emotional distress. However, it can be difficult to know when and how to access the help that you need.
The first step towards accessing professional help should be talking to people you trust about your mental and emotional struggles. Friends and family can provide helpful advice on the best path to take, and potentially provide meaningful referrals to people who have professional experience in the issues that you are dealing with. If the scope of your difficulties is outside the realm of your friends or family’s expertise, then you may need to look elsewhere.
A great place to start is online, as there are many resources and organizations (both local and international) which are dedicated to providing assistance. Search engines such as Google can help you locate the information that you need, or suggest reputable websites which may be beneficial. Alternatively, you can attend a meeting or utilize online forums in order to discover user-reviewed services and support.
Additionally, you may wish to consider consulting a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. These professionals can provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for mental and emotional difficulties. It can be useful to compare and contrast different services or interview potential therapists prior to selecting someone to work with.
In short, if you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do next, it is important that you recognize the worth in seeking professional help. With the right information and a willingness to access the resources available to you, you can get the help that you need to live a happier and more balanced life.
3. Types of Mental Health Services: Finding the Right Fit for You
If you are considering getting help for your mental health, it can be daunting to navigate all of the different mental health services available. Finding the right fit for you and understanding which type of therapy or service best meets your needs can greatly improve the success of your journey to better mental health. Here are some options to consider:
- Psychotherapy – This is a type of talk therapy that can occur in individual, couples, family, or group sessions. It often happens regularly and focuses on the identifying and working through the root cause of emotional, behavioral, or mental issues.
- Medication – Another mental health service option is medication. When prescribed and monitored by a psychiatrist as a part of a Holistic Mental Health Service plan, psychiatric medications can regulate your mood and help you gain better emotional control.
- Alternative Therapies – Alongside more traditional mental health services, consider some alternate therapies such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, mindfulness, or massage therapy. These can help to reduce anxiety, stress, and provide emotional balance.
- Crisis Support – A range of services are available when crisis mental health services are needed. Many mental health professionals offer 24/7 emergency mental health line services for people who are feeling out of control and in the grips of a crisis. It’s important to know crisis support is out there.
It’s essential to match the type of service to where you are in terms of mental health. A Professional Mental Health Service provider can help assess your individual needs before recommending a course of treatment and the right type of therapy.
Especially if this is the first time you are accessing mental health services, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Do some research. Talk to others. Find out what types of services and professionals are out there. Think about what you need and what is going to be the right fit for you.
4. Empowering Yourself to Take Control of Your Mental Wellbeing
When it comes to taking control of your mental wellbeing, it can be a challenge to know where to start. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to empower yourself to better manage your mental health. Here are four helpful tips to get you on the path to taking charge:
- Focus On What You Can Control – While it can be tempting to focus on out of your control aspects of your mental wellbeing, it’s important to keep your focus on the actions you can take. Take the time to identify your thoughts, reactions, and behaviors, and develop strategies that you can implement to manage your mental health in a healthy, productive way.
- Shift Your Mindset – A major key to feeling empowered is to shift your mindset. Remind yourself that it is possible to take control of your mental wellbeing. Replace negative thoughts with positive and affirming ones. Get creative with affirmations that work for you and say them often.
- Make Practical Changes – It’s important to establish a routine that will support your mental wellbeing goals. Make sure to build in down time, time for self-care, and social and recreational activities that bring you joy. It’s also important to make sure you’re taking practical steps, like getting regular exercise, getting plenty of sleep, and eating a balanced diet.
- Seek Professional Help When Needed – For times when you’re struggling to take charge, it’s perfectly okay to enlist the help of mental health professionals. They can provide useful resources and suggestions to help you take steps to better manage your mental health.
It may take a little work, but with the right focus and dedication, you can empower yourself to take control of your mental wellbeing. By creating practices that support your mental health, you will make great strides in taking charge of your well-being. Your mental health is worth it, so give yourself the time and attention you deserve.
No matter the situation, there is no need to navigate mental health struggles alone. By understanding when and how to access professional help, you have the key to taking control and finding a path to wellness. Embrace the power to seek help and reclaim your mental health!
