Mental Health Support Is for Everyone

It's normal to need mental health support at times.

Even people with good mental health can suffer setbacks and need emotional support at times. It's human nature to have emotional ups and downs, and it's healthy to respond to the downs by talking them through with someone who can listen, sympathize, and offer helpful support.

It's unfortunate that some people consider admitting to and seeking help for mental health issues as signs of weakness. They're not. They're signs of strength and resilience. It's perfectly normal to deal with mental health issues, and the best way to work through and get past them is with support.

It's estimated that in any given year, one in every five adults will experience a diagnosable mental health issue. Those range from unhealthy levels of stress and anxiety to depression, grief, and problems with substance abuse or other addictions. Over the course of a lifetime, most people will experience one or more of those mental health challenges. Why suffer alone and risk getting worse when help is available?

Fortunately, attitudes toward mental health are changing. Prominent figures in sports, entertainment, politics, and other public arenas are helping to normalize mental health challenges by being open about their own emotional issues and showing how appropriate help can make a difference.

If you're concerned about a mental health issue, be strong and seek help. You'll be glad you did.

What kinds of mental health support are available?

Social Support

Social support—through your network of friends and family—is an important element in maintaining good mental health. When you're feeling frustrated or down, talking through your emotions and the situations behind them can be tremendously helpful.

While your social support network can provide an emotional boost and a safety net for the normal twists and turns of life, it may not be all you need when you're dealing with a more serious or complex mental health issue. Depression, anxiety disorders, and addiction typically require professional support.

Counseling

Counseling is the process of talking with a trained mental health professional to collaboratively work through a problem. In this interactive process, called talk therapy, the counselor helps you identify goals and possible solutions, strengthen communication and coping skills, and work toward improved wellbeing in your mental health and relationships.

Professional counselors typically have at least a master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field. To be licensed or registered to provide counseling services, they are typically required to meet certain standards and participate in ongoing education. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who provide mental health counseling and can also prescribe medications (which master's-level counselors are not authorized to do).

Counseling can happen in person, by phone, or online by video, depending on your needs. A common counseling arrangement is to meet once a week for 50 minutes. The meetings end when you are satisfied that you can address your problem. That might be after a few sessions in short-term counseling, or after months or even years of sessions in long-term counseling. Even a single meeting or phone call with a counselor can help you resolve a problem.

There are many approaches to counseling, including three main models:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative or counterproductive thought patterns as a way to improve emotional wellbeing. In CBT, you learn skills to cope with problems and form new habits in the present, rather than delving into the sources of those problems and habits in the past.
• Psychodynamic therapy involves the examination and resolution of inner conflicts by exploring how behaviors have developed unconsciously from experiences early in life. Psychodynamic therapy is typically a longer-term approach to counseling.
• Humanistic or existential therapy emphasizes positive capabilities, creativity, and personal growth rather than focusing on negative behaviors or the past. In humanistic therapy, the counselor helps you reconsider how you perceive yourself and works to build on your strengths and potential.

Depending on your needs and the counselor's approach, different models may be combined to help you resolve your problem. The key is to find a counselor or therapist you trust and whose approach works for you.

Medication

For some mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis, medications can be a helpful supplement to counseling. A psychiatrist or another medical doctor can prescribe medication.

How to Get Mental Health Support

Your employee assistance program (EAP) can provide short-term counseling to help you resolve a mental health problem and can refer you to a qualified therapist for longer-term support. Your doctor can also refer you to a qualified therapist for counseling support and can discuss medication options with you.