Anger, disappointment, sadness. These emotions are natural. However, when such emotions get so extreme that they disrupt your quality of life and interfere with your relationships, this is when it might be the time to consider if you have a mental health problem. Whether it's a sign of a bigger mental illness or simply a rough time, support is there for you. However, as a teen who used to believe that "toughing it out" and staying silent was the "right" thing to do, I can understand just hard it is to reach out, or even admit you have a problem.
So, who should you talk to?
There are a plethora of sources for support. If it's possible, talk to your parent. They tend to know you best, and probably already noticed something was off. If they happen to ask "What's going on?", don't hesitate, and open up.
However, you don't need to wait for them to ask to get help. Even though it may seem scary to just speak about how you're feeling, a parent can give you advice and even set up appointments for a doctor or therapist. This could lead to you being able to explore the problem and hopefully on a path to resolve it!
What if a parent isn't available?
Maybe there is another trusted adult you can talk to! Here are some ideas:
another family member
a grandparent
your school nurse, counselor, or therapist
a doctor or therapist
youth group leader
a friend's parent
or any trusted adult!
Apart from talking to an adult,
you can also call a mental health crisis hotline. There are many out there for various specific issues, as well as ones that you can text instead of call, if that is more comfortable. Hotlines have the advantage of maintaining anonymity as well as connecting you to trained individuals who may be more qualified to guide you through that issue. I have a list posted as the first post on this blog, but a quick Google search will provide you with ALOT of resources. Please utilize them! They are made for you. :)
To help yourself and the person you tell,
make sure to communicate clearly. If you don't tell what you need directly, it can be hard for the other person to know how to help you. Not only does this help the supporter, but also avoids any unwanted resentment that may stem if you try to reach out subtly and they don't get the hint. Speaking the truth about your needs is a type of self-care that can help you and your loved ones.
Remember...
You don't need to have a "valid" mental health issue. Even if you're just feeling stressed or overwhelmed, that is a valid enough reason to vent and talk to someone. This comes from me personally, an overthinker who, when feeling swamped, a quick vent to my mom would always make me feel better.
It's in your best interest to talk with somebody about the thing you're going through. At the point when you remain quiet about your problems, things can remain terrible or deteriorate. But when you share what you're going through, it helps you with feeling closer to individuals in your life. Also, that can be the initial step to solving that issue.
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