Reaching Out to People You Trust
Sometimes people don’t get the help they need because they don’t know where to turn. When you’re not feeling well, it can be a struggle to take the necessary steps to help yourself get better.
When dealing with mental health or emotional problems, it’s important not to go at it alone. Healing is a combination of helping yourself and letting others help you. Comfort and support, information and advice, and professional treatment are all forms of help.
Think of all the people you can turn to for support. These are people who are concerned about you and can help comfort you, who will listen to you and encourage you, and who can help arrange for treatment. In other words, find the caring people in your life who can help you.
These people might include:
- friends
- parents and other family members
- someone who seems “like a parent” to you
- other adults whose advice you would value — perhaps a favorite teacher or coach, a member of your church or other place of worship, or a good friend’s parent.
Research shows that males are more reluctant to look for help and receive it than females are. While some people may have difficulty reaching out to others they trust, taking this first step in getting help is important for everyone to do.
Some families have health insurance that helps them get the services they need from mental health professionals. Insurance may cover some of the cost of these services. Many insurance companies provide a list of licensed mental health professionals in your area.
Note: Tomorrow’s post will discuss “Reaching Out to Mental Health Professionals”
Source: The American Psychological Association, retrieve May 15, 2008