There has always been a lot of self-placed stigmas when it comes to asking for help. At work, people sometimes decide against seeking help even if they know they need it. Most of the time, this leads to worse results. Misplaced feelings of pride and thinking they don’t want to be a burden come into play here.
This is also true with mental health. Sometimes, people give themselves reasons not to seek help. But it’s only natural not to be able to handle everything. It’s only natural to feel weary and need others to point the way. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, don’t hesitate to call 911.
The Ongoing Stigma
The world has come a long way when it comes to recognizing and even empathizing with mental illness. Admittedly, there are still a lot of things that should change. The stigma surrounding mental illness, for example, still exists.
Although it has noticeably been reduced in recent years, some people with mental health issues still feel like they are being blamed for what they’re experiencing. The idea that mental illness can be overcome if they only tried is not only inaccurate but also cruel. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this stigma also prevents people from seeking the help they need.
Who to Ask
Seeking the help of family and friends can be a viable option for people with mental illness. In fact, according to the Mental Health Foundation in the UK, friendships play a key role in helping one recover from these issues. Problems with mental health can render one feeling isolated and disconnected. With the help of loved ones, this gap can be bridged.
However, even with a strong support group in friends and family, there is still a real need for professional help, especially with more complex cases like treating eating disorders or PTSD. Despite the best intentions, without the proper training, at worst, even loved ones can end up doing more harm to people with mental illness.
Professional Help
Mental health professionals are specially trained to handle a wide variety of mental illnesses. According to Mental Health America, they generally help patients with the following:
- Planning ways to solve problems
- Feeling more capable of handling challenges ahead
- Changing behaviors that cause harm
- Building self-confidence
- Healing pains from the past
- Establishing goals for the future
There is Hope
According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will be impacted by mental or neurological disorders at some point. They also estimated that the number of people with mental health conditions around that world is currently at 450 million.
Despite these staggering numbers, there is hope in dealing with mental illness. According to the previously mentioned Mental Health America article, around 80 percent of people who receive treatment for depression report improvements. They add that the success rate for treating panic disorders is as high as 90 percent.
According to a study done by Psychiatry Online, the recovery rate from serious mental illness is also influenced by age. The study found that people over 32 are more likely to improve. They recommend a more focused approach to prevent mental illness among young adults. This entails seeking help at the onset of symptoms.
