In the not-so-distant past people shied away from talking about mental health. There were considerable stigmas surrounding it. Today mental health is more widely discussed. The stigmas are dissipating. Progress has been made, but more needs to happen in this area. I often speak with people who have been hesitant to seek out the assistance of a mental health professional. They fear something is wrong with them if they seek professional help and they question whether professional assistance would even help them.
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary a stigma is a mark of shame or discredit. Taking care of your mental health should not discredit you nor should it be marked with shame. Life is hard. And everyone deals with difficulty at some point in their life. There are all kinds of reasons that people seek out the assistance of a mental health professional (stage of life transitions, divorce, family conflict, marriage struggles, kids’ behavioral issues, traumatic events, adoption, blended families, sexual issues, addiction, burnout, etc.). In my personal experience the most common reason that people seek assistance from a mental health professional is to help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. At some point we all feel anxious or depressed. Those feelings are natural and are part of the human experience. No one is immune to them. For many people, those symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. Mental health issues are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than 50% of people in the US will be diagnosed with a mental health illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. Feelings of anxiety and depression are quite common.
Often people fear that seeking help from a mental health professional shows weakness or that there is something wrong with them or they may fear appearing “crazy.” However, seeking help from a mental health professional shows a great deal of strength. It can be one of the healthiest steps a person can take in their own self-care. A mental health professional has the education, training, and experience to help people with their mental health.
At LifeSpring Behavioral Health, we offer medication management and professional counseling. Whether you prefer medication, professional counseling, or a combination of the two, a trained professional will be able to help you achieve an improved level of functioning. As a licensed professional counselor, I help clients with various interventions such as emotional regulation, coping skills, communication skills, interpersonal relations, and cognitive therapy. We can work together to customize a plan based on your individual situation and treatment goals. If you want to take the next step, please call us today to schedule an appointment. There is no shame in consulting with a professional. We have helped countless people. Check out our testimonials and feel free to call us with any questions. Our staff would be happy to speak with you.
- Nicole Garrett, LPC-A