Mental health is a very broad term that includes more than just depression. It includes all problems with your emotions, thinking, and behavior. It affects how people feel about themselves and their lives.
Mental health problems are common. According to data from the CDC, one in five Americans faces some mental illness in any given year. Most people have some mental health problems, but many find it hard to talk about or go for help because they think it’s not serious enough or doesn’t want others to know about it.
Why People Avoid Taking Help for Mental Health Problems
According to data from the Mental Health Million Project 2021 report, over 50% of people with clinical-level mental problems don’t even seek help. There are several reasons why people avoid seeking professional help for mental health problems. They may feel they don’t need help or fear being stigmatized by others.
Additionally, they might worry that their family or friends will judge them or that they’ll be treated differently at work if their coworkers find out about their condition. The report shows that 25% of those not seeking help cite stigma or not wanting others to know. Some people even fear losing control over their lives if they let anyone else know about their condition.
While these concerns are understandable, it’s important to remember that getting a professional treatment can help you regain control of your life and improve your mental well-being.
Help Fight Loneliness
Loneliness has long been associated with mental health problems. People who are lonely and don’t have anyone to socialize with often face mental health problems. A study published in the Springer Link journal concludes the same. According to the study, loneliness can lead to the onset of mental health problems.
If you’re having a hard time feeling less lonely, there are many things you can try. First, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can make you more irritable and more likely to feel lonely. Second, try exercising more. Exercise releases endorphins that can make you feel happier and less lonely.
If none of these things work for you, consider seeking professional help for your loneliness. Counseling is an effective way of fighting loneliness because it helps people feel supported by someone who understands them. It also allows them to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment or shame.
You can hire a therapist if you feel lonely and want to talk with someone. Therapists can talk with you and offer consultation for your mental health problems. When hiring a therapist, go for a local option. While online therapy is an option, you might want face-to-face consultations if you seek intensive support.
Suppose you live in Texas and book an online appointment with a therapist in Washington. He or she will not be able to offer intensive care. On the other hand, if you choose someone local and go for face-to-face consultations, the therapist can read even nonverbal cues for better help. Hence, it is best to find a therapist in Texas if you live in that state.
Improve Your Quality of Life
When you’re dealing with a mental health problem, it can affect your quality of life. This may be because you’re anxious or depressed and cannot get out of bed in the morning or because you constantly worry about what other people think of you, making it hard to interact with others. How mental health problems impact your self-esteem and confidence will also play a role.
If the symptoms are severe enough, they may make it difficult for you to do certain things in social situations or at work. For example:
- You might have trouble concentrating on tasks at work because anxiety makes it hard for you to concentrate on anything else but your thoughts.
- You might struggle to sleep properly due to depression which makes getting up early in the morning very difficult.
- Your relationships may suffer due to an inability to communicate with other people about their problems due to embarrassment about having them yourself.
Regardless of the problem and severity, professional help and therapies can help improve the quality of life. For example, a recent study found that talk therapy can alleviate depression among people with dementia and help improve the quality of life.
You Will Have a Plan
One of the main reasons to seek professional help is that you will have a plan. You can set realistic and achievable goals and then work towards them. Your counselor or therapist will help you create a plan for your future and let you know how they can help you achieve those goals. This way, when it comes time for graduation or promotion, you will already know where to go.
People seeking professional help for mental health problems do so because they want to live without the burden of these struggles and challenges. They want to feel like themselves again, achieve their goals, identify what matters most in their lives and gain clarity on what doesn’t matter.
They know that there’s more out there for them than just the current state of things and that there’s hope for a brighter future if only they can reach out and grab hold of it.
Mental Health Is as Important as Physical Health
Some people feel that mental health conditions are not that severe, and neither is taking care of mental health important. However, mental health is as important as physical health.
In fact, it can be more important as mental health problems can last forever and become more complicated. For example, a recent study shows that childhood adversity can lead to mental and physical health problems.
It’s a state of well-being in which a person can cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, have a healthy and satisfying social life, and be resilient in the face of adversity.
This can be hard for some people to accept, especially when suffering from mental illness or experiencing extreme stressors. But regardless of your circumstances or symptoms, there are things you can do to improve your mental health by seeking professional help for yourself or someone else who needs it.
Conclusion
Mental health problems can be devastating and isolating, but more resources are available. The most important thing you can do is reach out for help, whether from a friend or family member, your doctor, or another professional. Remember that seeking treatment doesn’t mean you’re weak or crazy. It means that you’re taking care of yourself.
And remember that it’s okay if things aren’t perfect all the time. In fact, accepting imperfection can be an essential part of healing from mental illness.