Facing a mental health challenge is part of the human experience, and so is leaning on others for support. Often, topics related to mental health can feel taboo to talk about in a social setting or even with trusted family members, making it difficult for many people to seek help when needed.
Fortunately, there are plenty of mental health professionals out there who are ready to help you work through things that feel heavy, taking the pressure off when it feels tough to admit, “I need help.”
In this article, we’re diving into what you can do if you feel like you need help, the signs of mental illness, the first steps to finding mental health support, and how you can find a mental health professional who suits your needs.
What Should I do if I Think I Need Help?
If you’ve made it here, you’ve likely already done what Grow Therapy counselor Alan Deibel considers to be the first step in seeking mental health support: recognizing a need for help. He says, “The first and most important thing to getting mental health help is to recognize the need for help and to commit to it.”
Millions of people experience mental illness. A 2022 national survey showed that 23.1% of adults in the U.S. – that’s about 59 million people – had a mental illness. It’s fair to say that many people encounter some form of mental illness in their lifetime, whether it’s themselves or the people closest to them.
Yet, stigma about mental illness still exists. Far too often, stigma places those with mental illness on the fringes of society, labeling them as ‘crazy.’ These preconceived notions about mental health and illness are the driving forces behind why so many people ignore their symptoms and avoid seeking treatment.
Deborah Harland, a Grow Therapy counselor, agrees that stigma about mental illness holds too many people back from seeking treatment. She says, “One of the greatest barriers to accessing mental health care is the stigma and societal attitudes that still surround mental health. Other barriers include limited access to mental health services, including long wait times, lack of availability in certain areas, and financial barriers.”
The bottom line? If you feel like you need help, you’re not alone.
From finding ways to improve our mental health on our own to seeking a professional opinion, there are plenty of resources out there if you’re feeling like you need help. Online resources, counselors, and other professionals are here to provide you with the support you need.
The Warning Signs of Mental Illness
For many people, seeking professional help often comes after identifying thoughts, feelings or behaviors that are unusual for them or that are extreme. There are specific warning signs of mental illness that, when identified, can help people seek the help they need.
These common warning signs of mental illness from the National Alliance of Mental Illness are a great starting point, which can help both you and your support system understand what may be going on. However, it’s important to leave the diagnosis to the professionals.
- Emotional disturbances: Excessive worry, sadness, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, or disconnection from emotions
- Changes in thinking: Difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, or problems with reality perception (delusions or hallucinations)
- Social and behavioral changes: Withdrawing from social activities, neglecting self-care, changes in sleep or appetite
- Substance Use: Experience an increase in substance use or start using substances for the first time
- Suicidal Thoughts: Experiencing suicidal thoughts
- Physical symptoms: Unexplained physical aches and pains, changes in appetite or sex drive, or low energy
- Daily life challenge: Feel easily overwhelmed or experience an inability to cope with daily tasks or handle stress
- Body image concerns: Intense fear of weight gain or excessive preoccupation with appearance
- Self-awareness issues: Inability to perceive changes in one’s feelings, behavior, or personality
- Thinking about suicide: Expressing or experiencing a desire to vanish, sleep each day away, or end one’s life, whether or not you would actually do it
If any of these experiences are causing you concern, impair your ability to operate at work, home, or in relationships, or have lasted for two weeks or more, reach out to a mental health professional for support.
What are the Signs Someone is Suicidal?
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention identifies the following signs that someone may be suicidal:
- Talking about killing or harming themselves
- Feeling hopeless or trapped
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Isolating from family or friends
- Aggression
- Giving away possessions
Find a complete list of risk factors and warning signs here.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
The National Institute of Mental Health identifies several symptoms of depression, including:
- Feeling sad, anxious, or “empty”
- Feeling hopeless and pessimistic
- Feeling irritable, restless, or frustrated
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- No interest in hobbies or activities
- Low energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Disrupted sleep, including waking during the night, oversleeping, difficulty falling asleep, or waking too early.
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment
- Lastly, thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts, are a severe sign of depression
You should also consider the severity of your symptoms. If you’ve come here because you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or anything that could pose a risk to your life or someone else, then you should call 911, 988 (suicide and crisis hotline), or present to the nearest ER.
What is the First Step of Getting Mental Health Help?
Reaching the information in this article is an excellent first step in getting mental health help. Seeking reputable online resources is a great way to start your journey to mental wellness. However, many other ways exist to find the help you need.
One thing you can do right now is to practice self-care, like these tips for managing stress or staying calm when anger arises. Deibel offers some additional tips for getting mental health help. He says, “I would encourage a prospective client to do some homework on the different approaches to therapy.”
Harland also has some practical advice for those seeking mental health support. She says, “I would encourage them to reach out to a helpline or crisis hotline. Crisis and helplines exist for specific topics and one doesn’t necessarily need to be suicidal or in crisis to reach out. These lines exist for topics such as domestic violence, LGBTQ+ youth, or sexual assault survivors.
Helplines are staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate support, guidance, and resources. They can offer a listening ear, help assess the severity of the situation, and connect individuals with appropriate local services, such as therapists, counseling centers, or mental health clinics. Often, a crisis line number is the first result listed from a search including red flags of a possible mental health crisis, as it gives the person a human contact that is available 24/7 for support.”
Finally, a good way to work through a mental health crisis is to seek one of our mental health professionals, who are here to listen and provide the support you need.
The Role of a Mental Health Professional
Before choosing a mental health professional, it’s important to understand who they are and what they do. There are many types of mental health professionals out there, and each specializes in a different area of support.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness identifies over 10 different types of mental health professionals. They range from psychologists to social workers and everyone in between, and each is equipped with different tools to help their clients. For example, talk therapy with a licensed therapist can be a game-changer for people dealing with anxiety.
Remember that mental health professionals are here to support you on your journey, and finding someone who is a good fit can take time. After all, they’re people too! We recommend using Grow Therapy’s search function to find out more about different mental health professionals in your area who accept your insurance so you can find someone suited to your unique needs.
How to Find a Mental Health Professional When You Need Help
If you feel like you need help, it’s important to seek it out from a qualified mental health professional. It can be a daunting step, but one that will help you get better.
At Grow Therapy, we offer both in-person and online mental health support. Our platform helps match people like you to licensed professionals who specialize in your needs and are available in as little as two days. Simply specify your location, what type of support you’re looking for (online or in-person), your insurance coverage, whether you’re cash pay, and what you’re looking for help with.
