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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Staying Mentally Healthy in Tough Times
If you’re feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Whether you're dealing with health, family relationships or work problems, there’s a way to get help. It's called psychotherapy. Your first thought may be that it sounds intimidating, but it can really help you work through issues. Through therapy, you’ll learn new skills, so you can better cope with the challenges you face now and in the future.
More than 23 percent of American adults go through anxiety, depression or some other mental health issue each year, says the National Alliance on Mental Health. Some people need support coping with stress and substance use, or a serious illness. Others are facing relationship troubles, job loss, or the death of a loved one.
You don’t have to wait until your problems become debilitating to get help. Mental health influences how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, make choices and get along with others. Mental health is linked to your total health; it’s vital to get help if you need it. You can start by talking to your primary care doctor. Your doctor may be able to help with your issue, discuss how you might benefit from therapy or help you find a therapist. Telehealth options are also available.
You may think therapy is just for people with serious mental problems. The truth is that therapy can help with many types of issues. There are a number of myths about therapy you should not believe, including:
- Getting therapy means you’re weak.
- Since you’ve already been dealing with your emotions alone, you don’t need help now.
- Being in therapy means you have to take medicine.
- Therapy does not work and will make things worse.
- You have to go to therapy for years to see any benefit.
When looking for a therapist, think about what matters to you and what you want to get out of therapy. You want to find someone you can connect with and who makes you feel heard.
You can contact a few therapists by phone and talk to them about what you’re looking for. Some may offer a brief meeting before a first session for you both to decide if it’s a good fit. You can ask what you can expect from therapy and about their experience working with people who have faced issues like yours.
Qualified therapists will have at least a master’s degree. Master’s level therapists will have had to show their skills by earning a state-approved clinical license (LCPC, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC). Therapists with a doctorate degree (PhD, PsyD) are also often called psychologists. Both levels have met required educational and experience rules. Think about what approach might be most helpful for you.
The State offers its active employees who are participating in any of the health plans and their dependents access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for various behavioral health issues.
For information about mental health care, visit here.
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