Does it seem like your mental health is going out of your control? Are things not going your way these days? It is all too easy to assume that you have no one else to turn to when your mental health is in shambles.
It might feel as if no one understands your problems. Or worse, you might not even understand yourself at all! Reaching out to others around you can be downright frightening.
Believe it or not, hundreds of millions of people from different corners of the globe live with a certain form of mental illness or another or have already experienced it at one point. For all you know, some of these people might even belong to your circle.
But the good news is that you don’t have to go through your mental health problems all by yourself. There are a lot of people out there who will want to understand or are willing enough to listen to you.
While there might be some people who simply won’t get your problem. However, it is not your job or responsibility to convince them. All you have to do is to continue to look for the right support system that will work best for you.
Below are some suggestions on the best people you can talk to. However, remember that these suggestions are exactly just that: they are suggestions and nothing else. Try to begin with the option that you find most comfortable right now. And once you get more used to it, you can start opening up to more people around you later on.
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Anonymous Help Lines
Yes, anonymous helplines in the form of text lines, warmlines, hotlines, and online support can help. Employees or volunteers who have undergone training often run these helplines. You might be surprised but talking to a stranger can offer you some sense of safety about what you are sharing. Strangers can even provide more objective feedback compared to those you know or are involved in your life.
Family and Friends
If you are already surrounded by supportive family and friends, one of the first things you can do is to open up to them before anyone else. It can even offer a huge relief to the people around you because you no longer need to hide your feelings and struggles. You can even try to open up to teachers, religious leaders, or coaches. It can be anyone in your circle that you feel closest to.
Support Groups
A support group consists of people who have already experienced the same things. Support groups often meet either online or in person or a combination of not.
During these meetings, they discuss their everyday lives, the struggles they are going through, and the strategies they have used to thrive and cope with them.
Sometimes, it feels nice when you feel like you are part of a tight-knit community. It is even better to listen to other people who are going through the same challenges as you.
Professionals
Therapists, peer supporters, and doctors are the best professionals you can talk to about your mental health struggles. It might be a great place to start if you are already seeing a doctor.