Much like physical health issues, mental health challenges vary in severity and the kinds of treatment that can be provided. Knowing when and how to get treatment for a mental health challenge can be crucial to ensuring it doesn’t become a problem that requires more intense intervention down the road.
One example commonly used in Mental Health First Aid training is comparing a mental health challenge to a sprained or broken ankle. If the sprain or break is serious and left untreated, it could cause permanent damage to the body or require much more severe treatment to correct it.
Similarly, mental health challenges can range in how much they impact a person, but if left untreated, they can often get worse. Understanding when and how to find help for yourself or a loved one can ease the effects of mental illness on daily life.
How to Know When to Seek Professional Help
How do you know when your mental health concern needs professional care? For behavioral health crises, like feeling suicidal or that you’re going to hurt yourself or others, you can always call 911 and ask for the STAR program. You can also reach out to other crisis services, such as WellPower’s 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Center, or calling, texting or chatting with 988 for support with suicidal feelings. If you feel you’re not in crisis, but you’re still struggling, understanding the following signs and symptoms can help you gauge when and how to reach out for help.
Feeling That You Can’t Cope
When we go through challenges in life, it’s normal and understandable to feel overwhelmed. However, when those feelings of overwhelm become too much to bear or lead you to believing you can no longer cope with life, it’s time to ask for help. A counselor or therapist can support you in developing the tools to feel equipped for challenges in life, as well as the skills to use them.
Big Changes in Habits, Eating or Sleeping
If mental health challenges are affecting the way you live your life, it might be time to seek professional help. When our mental well-being is poor and impacts our daily habits or ability to live our lives for more than two weeks, finding professional help can start us on a path to recovery. If you notice changes in your eating (such as suddenly overeating all the time or having no appetite), sleeping (wanting to sleep or stay in bed all the time or not being able to sleep) or you find you’re unable to keep up with your daily habits, that may be a sign to get support from a mental health therapist. In addition to helping you deal with any mental health problems, a therapist might help you improve your behavioral health by building constructive and productive habits so that you can take control of your life again.
Intrusive Thoughts or Feelings that Interfere with Daily Life
If you are having trouble getting through your day because intrusive thoughts or feelings stop you from doing activities you want or need to accomplish, a mental health professional can help. They can support you in examining the reasons for these feelings or thoughts, then develop strategies to manage them. There are multiple types of therapies and treatments that can help in addressing intrusive thoughts and feelings, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), all offered by clinicians at WellPower’s Wellshire Behavioral Services location.
Withdrawing from Friends and Family
If you are normally a person who enjoys spending time with friends, family and other loved ones, but you find yourself pulling away or avoiding them, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. Isolation and withdrawal are common signs that someone may be having trouble with their mental or emotional health – finding help can ease or even remove the shame and negative emotions associated with mental health challenges.
Myths Busted: The Obstacles to Getting Help
In some cases, the symptoms we experience from mental health challenges become so ingrained in our daily lives and routines that it can be difficult to recognize them as obstacles to good well-being, rather than something we’re forced to live with. If any of the following statements resonate with you, it may be worth connecting with a mental health professional for support.
Myth: Your Symptoms Dictate How You Live Your Life
Part of the human experience is going through seasons of life where we face difficult emotions. We all experience challenges, hardships and pain at times, just like we experience joy, laughter and happiness. When negative emotions begin to persist for weeks or months, they may evolve from a typical reaction to hard times to a mental health challenge that could use a mental health therapist for support.
Myth: My Challenges are Too Embarrassing to Talk About
We understand that it can be hard to talk about your mental health problems with someone new. At WellPower, we do our very best to meet you where you are and connect you to mental health professionals who align with your needs. Clinicians, therapists, social workers and more are all trained to listen and provide you with the tools you need to reach your goals. They know how to hold space for your challenges and concerns, without shame or embarrassment. Mental health professionals help thousands upon thousands of people every day and are ready to help you, too.
Get Help with Mental Health Care in Colorado
WellPower is Colorado’s largest community mental health center, known locally and nationally as a model for innovative and effective behavioral health care. Our nonprofit organization provides a range of services for people across the lifespan at our 30+ sites and at nearly 200 locations throughout the community, from hospitals and assisted living facilities to schools and shelters.
WellPower serves more than 20,000 people each year, including children and families, with crucial mental health services such as outpatient treatment, medication management, crisis response and more. In addressing the aspects of life that work in conjunction with a person’s behavioral health diagnosis, we take a comprehensive approach to helping people get the support they need to thrive. This includes supportive housing, education and employment opportunities, financial health, access to nutritious food, other basic needs and much more.
To access mental health and behavioral health services at WellPower, the first thing to do is to call us at (303) 504-7900. Wondering about services with Medicaid? Find out more about Medicaid here.