How To Get The Help You Need: Resources For Your Mental Health Journey
In 2022, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing conducted a survey of over 2,000 American adults. According to the survey, 43% of adults did not receive mental health care when they needed it in 2022. While this may be due to a variety of factors, it can be hard to deny that seeking mental health care is often complicated and confusing. Even once you decide to ask for help, it can be hard to know where to look for it. If you have mental health concerns and are wondering how to get the help you need, the resources in this article may help you begin your journey.
Types of mental health resources
Once you’ve decided to ask for help with your mental health, it can be useful to get familiar with what sorts of resources are out there. Understanding what kind of care you can expect from each type may help you decide which one(s) to pursue. Some of the most common forms of mental health care include the following.
Therapy
Therapy, sometimes called talk therapy or counseling, is one of the most popular forms of mental health treatment. It involves talking to a trained therapist to help you understand your thoughts and feelings, learn to manage challenges, and develop the skills to improve your well-being. Therapy can also be used to address symptoms of many different mental health conditions, though you don’t need to be experiencing symptoms in order to benefit from meeting with a therapist.
Different styles of therapy are intended to address different types of concerns. Some common types include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and shifting distorted thoughts that might be negatively affecting your life
- Psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on analyzing the root causes of thoughts and behaviors
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on how your thoughts and emotions affect your relationships
- Couples therapy, which focuses on helping couples improve their relationships
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are specialized mental health providers who focus on diagnosing mental illnesses and prescribing medication for them. They may also provide psychological testing services for mental health conditions or forms of neurodivergence like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as recommendations for other treatments. Note that medication for mental health conditions is rarely prescribed on its own; instead, it’s usually recommended in tandem with other treatments like talk therapy.
Support groups
Support groups are meetings of people who are all managing similar mental health challenges, like depression, anxiety, or a substance use disorder. They may be led by either a peer or a trained professional. In either case, support groups can be a place to connect with others, get advice, and find a sense of community.
Hotlines
Helplines like the Crisis Text Line are a form of immediate mental health support. Many of these hotlines operate 24/7, allowing you to talk in real time to a trained crisis counselor. Remember that helplines are a way to get urgent support, while a method like therapy is typically a preferred option for longer-term treatment.
Community mental health resources
Community mental health centers are organizations that aim to help people in a particular area get mental health support. They may offer services like medication management, therapy, substance use counseling, and crisis intervention. These services are often offered at low or no cost to community members.
Finding a mental health care provider
Despite the wide range of mental health resources available, there are other potential pitfalls on the road to getting care. While over 90% of people in the US had some form of health insurance as of 2022, it can be tricky to find mental health treatment that’s covered, convenient, and in your area. If you know what kind of help you want but are struggling to find a provider, you might try connecting with one through:
- Your insurance company, if applicable. Many insurance companies provide directories of in-network mental health providers, but these may not always be up to date. Before booking an appointment, it can be a good idea to contact the provider directly to confirm they are still in your network. Contacting your insurance company may also help you get a sense of what will be covered and how much it will cost.
- Your employer, if applicable. In addition to insurance, some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs). These programs often provide free or low-cost counseling, mental health evaluations, and specialist referrals to employees and their families. EAP providers may also be able to connect you to a longer-term mental health provider who is covered by your company’s insurance.
- Your school, if applicable. If you’re in college or graduate school, you may be able to receive mental health support through your institution. Schools typically have on-campus counseling, psychiatric services, and crisis counseling for students. Your campus mental health center may also be able to connect you with support groups, clubs, and other resources, depending on your needs.
- Your doctor. If you’re looking for mental health support but are not sure where to turn, you may find it helpful to talk to your primary care doctor. Although medical doctors generally don’t offer mental health care directly, they are usually familiar with resources in the area and they can often refer you to a specialist depending on your needs and symptoms. Some doctors may also be able to prescribe medication for mental health concerns.
Exploring online platforms for mental health care
Sometimes, even using the resources above, it can still be a challenge to get mental health support. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s 2022 survey, high costs and a lack of local providers were two of the biggest barriers to people getting mental health care. These are just some of the reasons why more people have been turning to online therapy in recent years. Through this format, you can meet with a licensed therapist from the comfort of home or anywhere else you have an internet connection.
Research suggests that online therapy—specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—can be used to effectively address or treat a variety of mental health concerns. For example, in 2017, researchers analyzed data from 373 publications on internet-based CBT. Their findings suggest that online therapy can be effective in treating depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses.
Takeaway
Even when you know you want to seek help for your mental health, it can be hard to figure out exactly how to get it. Getting familiar with the different forms of treatment available can be an important first step. Then, when you’re ready to find a provider, your insurance company, workplace, school, or even your primary care doctor might all help point you in the right direction.
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