Mental health crises can happen to anyone. Whether you have a history of mental health issues or have never struggled with mental health, you may find yourself combatting one of the all-too-common mental health illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and other issues may creep up unexpectedly, getting worse and worse until suddenly you realize you can’t function with the status quo any longer. Mental health awareness is paramount to living a life well-lived, but sometimes it can be hard to identify issues before they become all-consuming.
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues, you already have a lot on your plate. There may be issues involving job loss or inability to work, struggles to cope with day-to-day life and relational issues with those you love. In moments of crisis, you need all the help you can get. Here are a few ways you might be able to get some assistance to help you through this difficult time.
Therapy
When many of us think of therapy, we have an image of a cartoon doctor drawing pictures as a patient lays on a couch and pours his heart out. We are happy to share that therapy has come a long way from simple talk therapy. While talk therapy may be a great option for many people (and it doesn’t usually involve a cartoon doctor or lying on a couch), some find that their problems aren’t resolved through this type of therapy.
Many different types of therapy are available. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy uses various techniques to help heal the wounds caused by trauma. Cognitive therapy helps patients use self-help skills to address a wide range of issues. There are many more types of therapy available, so you can work with a therapist to find the type of therapy that is right for your situation.
Support group
Mental health issues can be isolating and lonely. When you’re in the middle of a struggle that has so many deep internal components you can feel like you are the only one working through this type of problem. The truth is, 1 in 5 Americans experience mental health issues each year. If you are one of them, you most definitely are not alone. There are a variety of mental health support groups where you can meet with others who are going through similar struggles. In joining with others going through similar situations you have the ability to relate, commiserate, and sometimes even laugh through the pain.
Social Security Income
If your mental illness has caused you to lose your job or be unable to get a job in the first place, you may qualify for financial help through Social Security. You can use the benefits available to get back on your feet. Social Security Income can help bridge the gap left when you aren’t able to earn an income and allow you some time to get the help you need to deal with whatever mental illness has thrown at you.
Exercise
If you’re not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is get outside and go for a walk or hit the gym. But science has shown that exercise may be exactly what you need. Exercise has been proven to improve your mood, lower fatigue, lower stress hormones, and increase confidence. If you find you’re having a hard time getting out the door, see if you can find a friend who would go with you and encourage you to get some exercise. It seems like a lot of effort, but it could have a big payoff for you.
Gratitude journal
Being thankful for the good things in our lives can help reframe our situation and put it in a positive light. A gratitude journal could be as simple as a spiral notebook where you jot down two or three things you are thankful for each morning. If you are artsy, you could consider starting a bullet journal and using fancy pens and markers to make your journal more artistic. No matter what your method, taking some time to remember what you are thankful for can have a positive impact on your mental health.
When you are truly struggling through a mental health crisis, none of these steps will be enough to get you through it. But doing these small things, along with the support of a therapist and friends and family, can help get you on the road to recovery and back to your normal self.
