Seeking professional help can be emotionally difficult due to the stigma of getting mental health support. Although, there is no shame in seeking help; you’ll be glad you did.

Mental health professionals can help any range of symptoms. However, it is vital that you seek immediate help if you are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms.

You may want to seek help if you have experienced any of these distressing symptoms, lasting two weeks or longer:

• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Changes in appetite (e.g., overeating, under-eating)
• Trouble getting out of bed due to mood or lack of motivation
• Challenges concentrating or focusing
• Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
• Lack of motivation to engage in your usual responsibilities
• Social withdrawal from friends and family
• Thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself or others**

**If you are in crisis and your safety and/or the safety of others is in danger, please seek immediate help. There are local helplines you can contact. Or contact the emergency response line in your area. They are trained in how to deal with crisis situations.**

When you’re dealing with distressing mental health symptoms, it’s best not to wait too long to address them. Make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss what you’re going through. They can refer you to a mental health specialist.

Additionally, there is never a bad time to see a mental health professional. Going to therapy, even when you’re doing well, is a great way to maintain good mental health. Therapists can help you work through past or current issues, improve your self-esteem, or deal with life changes or big decisions. Seeking professional help can enhance the quality of your life at any point.

Caring for your mental health is incredibly important to your overall health and well-being. There is absolutely no shame in seeking help.

Asking for Help

Asking for help can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. Humans aren’t meant to be solitary creatures who figure everything out on our own. Evolutionarily, we are meant to operate in communities. Being able to ask for help from others is an important skill.

Feeling tired, overwhelmed, in pain, anxious, scared, or upset, are all amazing reasons to ask for help. Especially when it comes to mental health, getting help can be lifesaving. If you’re feeling like the stress in your life is too much to handle and you can’t cope, you must ask for help.

Your friends and family can try to offer practical help, emotional support, or resources; however, you may need professional help. There are many local services in your area that can work with you.

For example:

• Support groups for what you’re going through
• A counsellor that specializes in the problem you’re dealing with
• Financial advisors if the problem is financial in nature
• Life coaches if you want to make a life change
• Nonprofit organizations
• Your family doctor
• A crisis line if you’re struggling
• Emergency services for life-threatening crises

Your family doctor can refer you to a specialist. For instance, they can set you up with a counsellor that meets your specific needs.

Practice

Below, you’ll find the worksheet for this lesson: the Seeking Help Worksheet. This worksheet will help you identify resources near you that would be helpful if you need them now or in the future.

Reflect

Take a moment to reflect on the stigma of seeking help. Why is it such a taboo subject that is rarely talked about?

How can you try to reach out for help more often? Who can you rely on?

In the next lesson, you will learn how exercise can positively affect your mental health.