How To Know When To Seek Mental Health Support

“I can deal with it on my own.” Maybe you can. How do you know when to seek mental health support?

A lot of people don’t seek counseling because they are used to dealing with difficult situations on their own or feel that they “should” be able to deal with them on their own. 

For some people, a lot of the time they can handle difficult situations if they have support, a healthy capacity for self-reflection and awareness, and the resources to get what they need. 

This reality, however, isn’t always the case.  If a person is short on any of the things above and continues to try and deal with things on their own, not only can their experience become more painful but there also can be harmful consequences such as further damaging relationships, increasing feelings of shame, and coping in unhealthy ways.

Here are three questions to ask yourself if you are questioning whether or not to seek outside help. 

1.      Do I know what I need right now?

2.     Do I have reliable people in my life that are able to support me through this?

3.     Do I have the resources to get what I need? (For example, do you have time off work, help with kids, a way to set and work towards goals, or the ability to change a situation?)

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, you are in a good place to set up a plan to take care of yourself and work towards moving through a difficult time. 

If you said “no” to one or more of these, please consider seeking counseling to help you with whatever you said “no” to. 

You deserve to be supported! Also, don’t let finances intimidate you. There are plenty of clinics in Albuquerque that have sliding scales and also some that offer pro bono work. You can do this! You matter and are worth it!