“I Need Someone To Talk To": 4 Ways To Get Help For Depression & Mental Health Issues
Life can be hard for many. Regardless of your personality or resilience, it can be helpful to realize that you shouldn’t have to “go it alone” during times of difficulty or exhaustion. Learning how to find a healthy outlet and ask for emotional support when you need it may help you live a healthier, peaceful life.
Read on to learn more about four ways you can seek help for yourself today, and the role that online therapy can play in your support process.
1. Talking to someone else
Talking to another person can help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. You may want to talk to someone because of a traumatic event, a big life transition, or if you simply want to “vent”.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
No matter what your reason for outreach is, talking to someone who cares can help you sort through your feelings in a more productive and complete way. Additional benefits of peer support may include:
The ability to sort through complex feelings
Humans can be complex. The thoughts and feelings that may arise during heightened stress, when making big decisions or dealing with potential mental health issues may feel new and a little scary. Talking to someone out loud or even online can help you begin to name what you feel. You can then attempt to call out your emotions and work through them in a healthy way.
Navigating what you feel can be important to both your physical and mental health. Science suggests that there is a significant connection between your mind and body, which encompasses your thought and emotional life. What you feel can often help you understand or process something you’ve experienced, which is another reason why acknowledging your feelings can be important.
The potential to gain a new perspective
Talking to someone else about your outward and inward life can help you gain a new perspective. People who listen well can reflect on what you’re saying, providing a helpful and potentially unbiased opinion to help you navigate the situation. This can empower you to begin to take action and navigate your feelings in a deeper, more action-oriented way.
2. Building a support system
It can be important to have a good support system to help you deal with all the ups and downs of life.
Family can be a valuable support system if you have a healthy relationship with your family. These are generally the people who have known you for the longest and have been with you at your best and your worst.
However, your family doesn’t have to be part of your support system. If you have a complicated relationship with your family, you may choose to turn to other people when you’re struggling.
What To Look For In A Support System
Not everybody you’re close to may be the right person to confide in during a tough season. When forming a supportive network in your life, it can be important to understand which people you can trust.
There are a few questions that you may consider asking yourself before confiding in someone:
Are they trustworthy?
Are they good listeners?
Do you trust their judgment?
3. Calling a hotline
You can call a hotline if you don’t have a support system in place, or feel that you may need immediate help. There are many different options that you can choose from depending on your situation.
These people on the other end of the line might either work for an organization, or donate their time because they care about the people who call — like you. Even though they don’t know you, they can set aside time to talk to you. They can act as a listening ear if that’s what you need. They may often have resources they can refer you to if you need additional help.
Some of the most common hotlines to call can include:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988
Trevor Lifeline (For LGBTQ Support): Dial (800)-488-7386
SAMHSA National Helpline (For Substance Use Support): Dial (800)-662-4357
If one of these hotlines isn’t right for you, a simple online search of what you’re looking for can point you in the right direction.
4. Finding an online support group
If you need a listening ear, you might consider reaching out to an online support group. There are many different options that can be made available to you depending on your situation and needs.
For example: If you want to find an anxiety support group, you could simply type "find anxiety support groups near me" into Google. You can then find online groups that you can join for people going through similar things.
I need someone to talk to, can online therapy help me?
Online therapy is another option to consider if you find yourself thinking, “I need someone to talk to.” Mental health professionals are generally trained to discuss mental health challenges and life situations.A therapist can offer impartial insights regarding your personal life and concerns. You can tell them things that you may not be comfortable telling people who personally know you, giving you a chance to voice deeper-seated concerns. Your counselor can then guide you without judging you, supporting you in making the best decision for your specific situation.
When you choose online therapy, you can connect with a therapist from the comfort of your own home — potentially minimizing barriers to care and offering you a personalized form of outreach for your specific situation and needs. This can be a more accessible and sustainable option for some compared to in-person methods of treatment.
Online therapy for depression and other mental health issues
Online therapy has been scientifically suggested to be effective for a variety of diagnoses including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and mental health conditions (such as bipolar disorder). Recent meta-analys meta-analyses of over 40 studies have confirmed this, showing benefits for a pool of over 1,000 clinical research participants.
Counselor reviews
“Gia has been my rock and go to. She is there, really there for me. Her advice and counseling have been spot on, and I am so happy she is in my life. She has helped me get through the worst time of my life.”
“Marlene is always there for me when I need her the most! I have a video call with her every week and feel more clear-headed and focused after every session. 100% recommend!”
Takeaway
Many people experience low points and challenges in life. Talking to someone can help. If you feel like you need someone to talk to, you have options. You are not alone. By thoughtfully and intentionally building a support system, you will have people available to help in your time of need. Whether these are family, friends, online groups, or an online therapist, many people are ready to listen and help you overcome your obstacles. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Regain and make connections that will benefit your life and wellness.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
I need someone to talk to, how can I find someone to speak to about mental health challenges?
The first step for many in addressing mental health difficulties is to find someone to talk to. To begin, you might try searching for therapists or counselors in your area who specialize in whatever you are dealing with. Then, you can confirm that they have the appropriate training and license, are within your scope of need, and have availability. You can then determine when to set up an initial visit to see if they are a good fit for you.
If you cannot get to in-person appointments or have a medical condition that makes leaving the house difficult, you can consider online therapy instead. There are several different platforms available today for online therapy, all of which range in both price and the training level of their counselors or therapists.
Where can I speak with a therapist about depression and mental health for free?
When money is a potential barrier to mental health support, you may consider some free or reduced-cost options that you can look for in your community. Community centers, hospitals, schools and places of worship sometimes offer free or low-cost counseling for residents. If you live near a university that offers degrees in mental health, they may also have a training clinic for students to get clinical experience with patients under the guidance of a licensed professional before they graduate. These clinics are usually open to the public and are often very inexpensive.
Additionally, some online therapy platforms may offer free services. However, these sites may rely on volunteers or unlicensed counselors to provide free services, so this might not be the best route to treat your mental health concerns.
How do you know therapy is working?
One of the easiest ways to tell if therapy is working for you is to determine if your symptoms are lessening. For example: You might find yourself employing new coping mechanisms or other tools that help you deal with your symptoms in a more positive way — or you might find yourself looking forward to your appointments with your therapist rather than dreading them.
The results from therapy may take weeks or even months to show, so don’t be discouraged if you’ve just started and aren’t seeing results. It’s an extremely individual process.
Which app is best for a live online chat?
The best app for live chat depends on each person’s individual needs. While some may allow you to always work with the same counselor or therapist, others may connect you with whoever is available at the time. Some might specialize in couples therapy, while others can focus on individual therapy. The best app for you will generally be the one that best targets your needs and desires and employs licensed counselors or therapists.
Is there anything I shouldn’t tell my therapist?
What you should or shouldn’t tell your therapist is ultimately up to you. Therapy is generally designed to be a safe space where you can work through challenging problems that may be difficult to face. Your therapist is there through it all to support you.
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