Society pressures and understanding the help-seeking process have made it difficult for individuals who struggle with the mental aspect of health to speak openly to others about their concerns. The public, perceived and self-actualised stigma associated with mental health has been ingrained in our belief systems since childhood, making it a hard nut to crack. Plus, our inability to recognise our symptoms and also having a preference for self-reliance are all barriers. Therefore, knowing how to break through these mental health barriers has become a pressing problem that needs resolving. Let’s get started.
How To Break Through Mental Health Barriers #1 Start The Conversation
There is a need to change the conversation around mental health to break through public, perceived and self-actualised stigmatisation. To do this well you need to talk honestly about your thoughts and feelings, and about what’s happening to you, so that others understand. Shutting friends and family out when you are not coping can lead to greater mental stress and further confusion.
By taking time out of your day to start the conversation about your mental health, you raise your own awareness of your symptoms and possible need for intervention. Plus, you raise the awareness of others for your need of support. Without this awareness, your friends and family may assume that you are okay and coping well. So, if someone asks you how you are feeling, let them know what’s going on.
HOT TIP – Saying you’re fine when you’re not makes it difficult for others to support you when you need them the most. Be honest with yourself and don’t shut out friends and family.
How To Break Through Mental Health Barriers #2 Get Help
If you feel that talking to your friends and family is not enough and that you need a professional, unbiased perspective, and more information, then seeking outside help may be ideal for you. Many professionals are able to explain more about mental health conditions after diagnosing your symptoms. They can increase your mental health understanding and literacy, so you can better identify when you reach your normal thresholds and move beyond. These professionals also remove your need to be self-reliant so you become comfortable with reaching out to others.
For instance, centers like Restorations Health Care provide compassionate services that help identify and address the cause of mental health barriers associated with addiction, such as underlying psychological illness, trauma, or co-occurring disorders. At these centers, you’re surrounded by supportive staff who listen openly, and tailor their expertise to your individual needs and recovery process.
To support you, these and other professionals use a variety of techniques depending on your symptoms. These treatments may include depression therapy, cognitive or behavioural treatments, alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, as well as medications. You many have to visit more than one therapist to find the right treatment and therapist for you.
HOT TIP – Finding the ideal treatment for you depends on your symptoms and response to each solution.
How To Break Through Mental Health Barriers #3 Be Open
Feelings of hopelessness, lack of trust, and embarrassment are all commonly linked to the stigma of mental health and having a poor understanding of what this health means to you, as well as having a preference for self-reliance. However, by being open with yourself and others it is possible for you break through these barriers.
It’s time to be open. The moment for hiding has passed. Suppressing your feelings just to make yourself and other people feel more comfortable has gone. You have nothing to fear or be shamed over. Healing is now needed for you and others. This tactic enables us all to heal and gain a better understanding of mental health so that we can be more empathetic and offer better support to each other in our times of need.
HOT TIP – Openness is the best route for healing. It let’s you unload your burden so you can rebuild.
How To Break Through Mental Health Barriers Key Takeaways
Breaking through mental health barriers is a combined effort. You and your friends and family need to work together to dissolve the pubic, perceived and self-actualised stigma, along with our inability to recognise our symptoms and having a preference for self-reliance. It’s time for you and others to feel comfortable about mental health and that it is okay to not be okay.
To recap, how to break through mental health barriers starts from:
- Starting the conversation.
- Getting help.
- Being open.
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