We never talk about mental health enough. In part, this does have to do with the stigma surrounding mental illness. Some people think that mental illness isn't real. Some people think that people with mental illnesses are crazy. Obviously, it's hard to talk about something so personal when you're afraid of being judged and looked at differently.
As you probably already know, counseling and therapy can be utilized to help people with mental health concerns. (To avoid saying "counseling and/or therapy" 100 times, I'll just refer to mental health support here on out as therapy.) But you may not know that therapy isn't just for people with anxiety, depression, etc. And it's not just for people who have recently experienced tragedy, either.
I recently went back to therapy to learn better coping mechanisms for emotional distress. I was tired of feeling emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed every time something went wrong. I wanted to change my life for the better. I felt like my behavior not only affected me, but also the people that I loved. I had to take responsibility for that. And it wasn't something that I could fix on my own. Love yourself enough to do what's right for you.
If you're really stressed about all of your school work, go to therapy. If you just got into a new relationship and you're experiencing a lot of new insecurities and fears, go to therapy. If you want to sort your family problems, go to therapy. If you have unresolved, repressed thoughts that you want to address, go to therapy. And if you know someone who is struggling with something, recommend that they go to therapy.
Honestly, everyone should seek support for their mental health at some point in their lives. If you're a college student with mental health resources on campus, please make use of them, especially if the services are free or low-cost. After you graduate, you may not have access to the same facilities. Or, if you do, you're going to have to pay a lot of money to seek help. Addressing concerns now is the smartest option. If you're a Rutgers University student, you can find aid from Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).
We all need someone to talk to about our problems. Yes, having friends and family is definitely beneficial. A good rant can help you blow off some steam. But keep in mind that these people are not licensed therapists. They can only offer you advice, not authentic step-by-step treatment.
