The month of May has already been known as the month of Mental Health Awareness. This is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health and fight the stigma every single one of us faces with our mental health. This is also the time to show our support for everyone’s mental health; to educate the public and advocate policies that support not only people who have mental illness but everyone’s mental health generally.
What (Really) Is Mental Health?
You are feeling that upset stomach because exam days are getting near, or you will be giving a report presentation in front of your boss. Or you’ve been feeling very sad every day ever since you lost your father and this has been ongoing for almost 5 years already.
These are where and when your mental health manifests. In the first example, the upset stomach is a manifestation of your mental health anxiety or nervousness about the upcoming events in your life. While you have lived with the feelings of excessive sadness for more than 5 years, this is the main effect of the significant events on your mental health.
Mental health is where our emotional, psychological, and social well-being lies. This is the overall wellness of how we think and regulate our feelings and behaviors. This is about what is inside you and not what is outside.
Mental health exists within you; it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but that does not imply it is not real and you don’t need help about it anymore. Maybe you’re wondering, when should you be seeking help already? Don’t worry, we will be talking about this in the next parts of the article.
Signs That You Already Need Mental Health Help
Unlike physical health, where we can see visible indications that we need help, with mental health, the signs aren’t always as noticeable. Not noticing the signs only leads to us being unconcerned and refusing to get help, which will only bring the worst in our lives.
So here are the signs that you already need mental health help:
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Significant changes in personality, eating, or sleeping patterns.
If you notice that there is a sudden change in your behavior or how you act daily or with your characteristics, this is a sign that you might already need help. This is not obvious if you try to see it yourself, but most of the time it is the people around you who notice this. Another thing would be if you suddenly are having a hard time sleeping or you’ve been sleeping excessively. Anything that is more than usual.
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Inability to cope with problems.
And of course, if you’re having a hard time dealing with your own problems, asking for help is okay. There is no problem with asking for help. It is actually totally normal, just like how we ask for help to assemble a table or a printer. Asking for help about your mental health or problems will always be okay and not a sign of weakness.
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Feelings of disconnection from your usual activities.
Have you ever felt like not doing the usual things or activities you’re doing, such as simple things like brushing your teeth in the morning or taking a shower? You just suddenly feel this random laziness. This only means that you already need to seek help from mental health professionals like us.
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Excessive (especially negative) feelings.
Having heavy feelings, especially negative ones, is a sign of you needing help, especially if this is something out of the blue and has been affecting your daily life already. Actually, excessive positive feelings such as being very happy to the point you become impulsive and then, after days of having these feelings, you’ll feel a wave of sadness. This is the most important time to seek help. Unfortunately, there are times that people who experience this tend to dismiss these signs because of the positive feelings.
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Thoughts/statements about harming yourself or others.
And lastly of course, this is the most important of all. If you find yourself, even just thinking of wanting to hurt others or yourself, this is the right time to seek help. You can dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency hospital, or you can dial 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The Importance of Getting Mental Health Help
Just remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. Seeking help for your mental health does not mean you are weak; it actually makes you braver.
Asking for help is important because it is not all the time that we can handle our own problems. Pushing ourselves to face everything by ourselves could only lead to negative things such as more trauma, no improvement in your performance or quality of life, and, of course, the most crucial thing, losing ourselves. We don’t want that to happen, right? So the next time you feel differently about your feelings, behavior, and thinking, do not hesitate to seek help.
It is important to remember that we should not be scared of seeking help. Not seeking help, especially for mental health, could only lead to worse things. So, the next time you notice someone who seems to have a mental health problem or if you yourself are facing one, please do not hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional like us.
Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here.
References
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, December 14). Mental health: What’s normal, what’s not. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/mental-health/art-20044098
Mental Health Awareness Month. NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month
Seeking help for your mental health is brave. and beneficial. Seeking Help for Your Mental Health Is Brave. And Beneficial. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.betterup.com/blog/seeking-help
What is mental health? What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
