GET THE HELP YOU NEED

If you have, or believe you may have, mental health problem, it can be helpful to talk about these issues with others. It can be scary to reach out for help, but it is often the first step to helping you heal, grow, and recover. Having a good support system and engaging with trustworthy people are key elements to successfully talking about your own mental health.

Build Your Support System

Find someone—such as a parent, family member, teacher, faith leader, health care provider or other trusted individual, who:

• Gives good advice when you want and ask for it; assists you in taking action that will help

• Likes, respects, and trusts you and who you like, respect, and trust, too

• Allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes

• Listens to you and shares with you, both the good and bad times

• Respects your need for confidentiality so you can tell him or her anything

• Lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing

• Works with you to figure out what to do the next time a difficult situation comes up

• Has your best interest in mind

Find a Peer Group

Find a group of people with mental health problems similar to yours. Peer support relationships can positively affect individual recovery because:

• People who have common life experiences have a unique ability to help each other based on a shared history and a deep understanding that may go beyond what exists in other relationships

• People offer their experiences, strengths, and hopes to peers, which allows for natural evolution of personal growth, wellness promotion, and recovery

• Peers can be very supportive since they have “been there” and serve as living examples that individuals can and do recover from mental health problems

• Peers also serve as advocates and support others who may experience discrimination and prejudice

You may want to start or join a self-help or peer support group. National organizations across the country have peer support networks and peer advocates.

 

Find an organization that can help you connect with peer groups and other peer support.

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Participate in Your Treatment Decisions

It’s also important for you to be educated, informed, and engaged about your own mental health.

• Find out as much as you can about mental health wellness and information specific to your diagnosed mental health problem.

• Play an active role in your own treatment.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) 

ADAA provides information on prevention, treatment and symptoms of anxiety, depression and related conditions (240-485-1001)  

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En español 1-888-628-9454
 

Lifeline Chat
The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis service that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline connects people to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

 

Crisis Text Line
Text “HOME”  TO 741741

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

A 24/7 crisis intervention, safety planning and information on domestic violence (800-799-7233)

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Partnership for Prescription Assistance 

Helps qualifying individuals without prescription drug coverage get the medications they need

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