Feeling Stuck? How to Ask for Mental Health Support

Like many aspects of being human, mental health experiences vary from one individual to another. Although we may have similar qualities or shared experiences, we’re each our own person. Since everyone is unique, it can be difficult at times to tell if what we’re experiencing is something that will pass on its own or if we might need some support. It’s important to know that you do not have to “hit rock bottom” before you deserve to seek help.

For whatever you’re going through…

• If you’re wondering whether or not what you’re experiencing with your mental health is “normal” or “really that bad” 
• If people close to you have voiced concern about your mental health, but you wonder if their thoughts and feelings are valid 
• If you’re questioning whether or not professional support could make a difference

… it’s okay to ask for help.

Common mental health signs and symptoms

Anxiety, mood disorders (like depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or trauma-related mental health conditions can show up differently for everyone, but here are a few common signs and symptoms:

• Feeling really down about yourself or circumstances – sad, empty, hopeless, guilty, or worthless (maybe having thoughts of suicide or self-harm) – more days than not, or more than you wish you did 
• Having difficulty controlling worry – worrying about everything or very specific things, being distracted by worried thoughts, avoiding situations or places due to worry, etc. 
• Having trouble with sleep – sleeping too much, not enough, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (usually accompanied by decreased energy or feeling tired a lot) 
• Changes in appetite – not being able to tell when you’re hungry, feeling hungry all the time, etc. (sometimes accompanied by changes in weight) 
• Loss of interest in things you would typically enjoy (like spending time with family/friends, engaging in your usual hobbies, etc.) 
• Noticing an increase in impulsive or reckless behaviors, usually alongside an increase in energy, confidence, racing thoughts/ideas and/or decreased need for sleep. 
• Feeling on edge or hypervigilant (maybe having recurring thoughts or images of things that previously happened and were frightening or felt unsafe) 
• Having trouble keeping up with daily tasks (missing work/school, housework piling up, lack of energy/motivation to brush teeth or take a shower, etc.) 
• Changes in social patterns (maybe an increased desire for isolation, or the opposite -- difficulty being alone)

* If you do or don’t have some of these signs/symptoms it doesn’t necessarily mean you do or don’t have a mental health condition. Learn about additional signs and symptoms, and a no-cost assessment, on our website here: Pathlightbh.com/conditions-we-treat.

These experiences are important to be mindful of and to share with a healthcare professional. If you notice these symptoms showing up for a loved one (child, spouse, family, friend, etc.), or they express experiencing these symptoms, gently speak with your loved one about your concern for them – and encourage them to share openly with a healthcare professional.

Additional note for family/friends: It can be hard to know what to say when you’re worried about someone. It is almost always the most helpful to lead with curiosity, compassion and expression of loving concern rather than assumptions, accusations or attempts to control. Learn more about the “dos and don’ts” of supporting a loved one here: PathlightBHC.com/resources/caregiver-dos-donts

When it’s time to ask for help

Being in isolation (or keeping things to ourselves) while struggling with mental health can feel scary and confusing. Not only can a mental health condition be difficult to address solely on our own, but the symptoms themselves can keep us from truly understanding or seeing the full picture of our own circumstances.

For example, anxiety, mood disorders and trauma-related conditions can often include distortions relating to how we see ourselves and the world around us. We might believe that our situation or condition is completely hopeless, or that no one would actually care enough about us to help.

Here are a few (of many) possible signs that Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center might be a helpful resource for you:

• You have (or suspect you might have) a mood, anxiety or trauma-related disorder and you’re looking for an intensive, comprehensive care team to support you. 
• Mental health symptoms are getting in the way of the things you love (e.g., depression consistently preventing you from having energy for things that usually sound fun to you, or loss of interest preventing you from keeping up with your typical hobbies). 
• Symptoms are making it difficult for you to maintain your typical day-to-day tasks (e.g., missing school/work, low motivation for housework, missing meals due to change in appetite).
• You’re having difficulty maintaining supportive relationships due to symptoms (withdrawing or isolating from friends/family, irritability or other symptoms causing consistent conflict with your loved ones).
• Mental health symptoms have become too much to manage by yourself and/or with your support network (family/friends and/or outpatient providers).

Reminder: You do not have to “hit rock bottom” before you deserve to seek help -- and before it’s okay to reach out.

Taking the first step

Allowing ourselves to “show up” just as we are with others present can be one of the most difficult yet necessary parts of cultivating healing and resiliency in mental health. When we share our worries, struggles or deep sadness with others in a safe and understanding space, something beautiful can truly unlock. On Pathlight’s end, that’s why we want to offer a compassionate admissions process for individuals to come exactly as they are

“The average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and when a patient seeks treatment is 11 years, so we take this assessment call very seriously [1]. It can take a lot for someone to make the first call, and so we want to handle it with care by creating safety, transparency and collaboration,” explains Brittany Lacour, LCSW, DAACS, director of clinical assessment at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center.

Getting matched with the right support

Once you’ve taken the first step, you open up opportunities for your own path forward. Since everyone is unique, the process of finding support and the support itself should have some flexibility to be customized. While structure and consistency are important, flexibility is equally important. At Pathlight, consideration of this starts at the very beginning. 

“While we do have essential questions to answer during the assessment process, hearing how someone perceives their experience is essential to understanding,” shares Lacour. “We are listening to their personal narrative. As they share what brought them here, we guide them through with questions and prompts in a gentle way to gather that information. We are helping them to architect their narrative, and highlight not only what difficulties may be present, but also what strengths, resources, goals and desires are part of their story.”

Adds Lacour, “We want to make the assessment process accessible, and this could include using certain accommodations, having specific support people present, or even finding a time of day that fits their schedule. During the assessment, we ask about accommodations they are currently using in home/school/work settings, neurodiversity and barriers to care, to ensure we can provide them with a supportive experience.”

A real story of hope and healing

When you’re facing a struggle with your mental health, knowing that others have been through similar experiences can make all the difference. Here, one former patient shares what reaching out for help was like for her, and the relief that came with it.

“I remember being terrified to make the call and take that first step toward recovery,” shares Kate Gombach, ERC Pathlight alum. “It’s intimidating to call a stranger and admit your struggles, but I was reassured when they informed me they were a clinician and they showed clear compassion and understanding of my experience. I definitely cried during the initial call – it was really hard for me to share my story, and I was so overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea of getting help. The clinician was very understanding and empathetic, reminding me I was not alone, and they were there to help.”

So, what happens after that first call?

“I was honestly surprised by how relieved I felt by the end of that initial call,” explains Gombach. “She let me know the different treatment options I had and which she recommended for me based on our conversation, but she also let me know I would be able to change paths if I felt I wasn’t receiving enough support. Truly having a say in my treatment plan was very empowering for me. It was the first step of many toward my recovery.”

Are you ready to take your first (or next) step?

We’re here to offer you a space to voice your mental health struggles, worries or concerns, and to partner with you on how to move toward healing. We will meet you where you are (with compassion, curiosity and care), listen to your story and match you with the level of support that meets your level of struggle. There is no obligation with your first call. There are no strings attached – truly. Chat with us today.

Source

1. Wang, P.S., Berglund, P.A., Olfson, M., & Kessler, R.C. (2004). Delays in initial treatment contact after first onset of a mental disorder. Health Services Research, 39(2), 393–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2004.00234.x