Screaming Into The Void: 4 Ways To Ask For Help With Your Mental Health

Because wherever I sat—on the deck of a ship or at a street café in Paris or Bangkok—I would be sitting under the same glass bell jar, stewing in my own sour air.

Sylvia Plath

Lately, I’ve been having a hard time with my mental health. I am dealing with a situational depression, so my meds aren’t having much of an affect on it. I’m working on getting my life straightened out so that things aren’t so stressful, but it takes time. In the meantime, I need to deal with my mental health head on.

Honestly, I think I was in denial a bit about my mental health taking a turn for the worst. I didn’t want to admit to myself that I was depressed. “It’s just boredom. I’m not said. Not even apathetic!” This strong denial got me think about how I can’t keep control if I don’t acknowledge the situation for what it is and talk about it.

The first step is always acknowledging and talking about it. It loses so much power when you tell someone what you’re going through. A trusted support system is so important for people with mental health issues. They need to be people that can show empathy and understanding.

Reaching out can be hard, so here are a few tips to help get you started.

How To Ask For Help With Your Mental Health

If you’re struggling with your mental health, it can be enormously difficult to ask for help. You might feel ashamed, embarrassed, or worried that your loved ones will see you differently. Maybe you just don’t know where to start. Asking for help is important, and there are some effective ways to ask for the support that you need. 

Whether you’re asking for more support at work, or are seeking top mental health treatment centers, all you need is the tools to get started. 

Don’t Stigmatize Yourself

Depression is a problem that has a solution. Feeling depressed is not a failure or a weakness. Depression is a psychological disorder, and knowing that can take off some of the pressure. There are lots of options for treatment, from therapy to medication, to relieve symptoms and help you to manage your mental health for the term. Remember that mental health struggles are not your fault because of something you did or did not do, or because of who you are. You are still you, and mental health doesn’t change your worth, or how deserving you are of compassion, care, and a better life. 

Reach Out Where You Feel The Most Comfortable

Some people feel the most comfortable talking to close friends or to their family when they are struggling with their mental health. Some people will feel more comfortable talking to someone who is less close to them, such as a counsellor, a doctor, or a stranger working for a helpline. No way is the right or wrong way, as long as you ask for help where you feel comfortable.

Practice Saying That You’re Not Okay

Maybe you don’t feel ready to give someone all the details yet. Perhaps you aren’t sure how best to describe how you are feeling or point out why you are feeling so low. You don’t have to be able to do this. However, it is important to be able to admit that you are not doing okay right now and that you are not feeling well. Even just saying something simple like this out loud can go a long way to helping you feel less isolated and less as though you are stuck.

Have Someone Else Make You An Appointment

If it feels like too big of a step to pick up the phone and book an appointment for help and treatment, you can break this task down, and ask someone else that you trust to help you with this step. Give them your calendar, or ask them to request the next available appointment. You could even ask this person to come with you to your appointment. You don’t know how you will feel on the day, and making plans with someone else can help make sure you get there and have the support you need. 

There are lots of ways to reach out, and there is no wrong way to get help, as long as you recognise when you need it.