Struggling with a mental health condition is tough enough, so knowing where to go to get the help you need to get back on your feet shouldn’t be difficult. If you’ve noticed that you haven’t been feeling yourself recently or have struggled to muster up the energy to complete basic daily tasks, then it might be time to seek some external support to help you out.
It’s estimated that 1 in 6 people reported experiencing mental health problems in the UK, yet only 39% of people accessing treatment. There is no shortage of support groups, hotlines, or mental health professionals at your fingertips but knowing where to look or who to turn to can be a little overwhelming. But rather than struggling alone and hoping your mental health improves, it’s important to reach out and seek support. Remember that there’s no shame in asking for help, whether it’s to a close friend or family member or mental health professional. If you’re yet to seek help and it’s because you aren’t sure where to look, we’ve put together a guide that you can use to get the help you need to improve your mental health.
When to seek help for your mental health
Feeling a little stressed at work or getting a bit anxious about an upcoming exam are relatively standard human experiences, however, when those negative emotions start to spill over and encroach on your daily life, that’s a solid sign that some things are not quite right. If you’ve noticed your mindset has been set to negative a lot more than usual lately and you’re lacking the motivation to get on with daily tasks then you’re probably experiencing a bout of poor mental health, like depression or anxiety for example.
Some common symptoms of mental health conditions that suggest you should seek some outside counsel are continuously feeling down, struggling to keep on top of basic tasks like personal hygiene, or lacking any energy or enjoyment for activities that once brought you joy.
There may have been an event or experience that triggered your dip in mental health, or sometimes they spring on us out of nowhere. When problems arise seemingly out of the blue, it’s likely due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. So, there’s no need to worry as there will be an explanation for why you’re feeling the way you do. Both are very common and therapists or mental health professionals will be able to help you sort through your emotions to get to the root cause and help you find a solution.
How to get help for your mental health
There are so many options for you to pursue to get some help, so it’s understandable that it might be a little overwhelming at first. It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong order to try things, and something that might have worked for someone else may not be right for you, so keep an open mind as you find the right solution for you.
Your Doctor (GP)
For most of us, our first port of call might be our local GP. Your doctor is there to help with you your mental health as well as physical ailments and will be able to direct you towards the best course of treatment. They may well refer you to someone who is able to offer you some more nuanced mental health care. If they are unable to provide the right prescription or treatment, then they will point you towards the best person who can. Not only will they be able to advise you on the best path of treatment, but they will also be able to direct you towards some local support groups or charities that could connect you with other people, so you don’t feel isolated.
Friends and family members
No one will want to see you back on your feet more than your loved ones. Sometimes talking to a trusted friend or family member is enough to lessen the burden and take a weight off your chest. It’s important to remember that, however lonely your mental health condition feels, there are people around you who support you, so try opening up to them and talking about how you’ve been feeling lately. Talking therapy is highly therapeutic and can help us come up with explanations and solutions that we overlooked before, so it can be a highly beneficial way to sort through your emotions too. Moreover, they may also be able to suggest a good therapist or some other treatment options you hadn’t considered before, as well as putting you in contact with other people who have been in your position, so you have more people to talk to.
Mental health professionals
Trained mental health professionals and therapists will be able to dig deeper into what is causing your lapse in mental health and offer you a variety of treatment solutions, from medication to more holistic alternatives. You may have been referred by your GP to see a professional or you can source them yourself via the internet or recommendation. However, you find the right therapist for you, they will be able to unpack a lot of the emotions that you’re experiencing as well as providing you with some coping mechanisms and a treatment plan.
Hotlines
There are tonnes of crisis hotlines and support services catered for every eventuality that you can reach out to and talk to. Whether you just need someone to offload, or you have been having suicidal thoughts, there is a service designed to support people like you. Even if you don’t feel like talking on the phone, there are text and email services available too. There is always someone on the other end of the phone ready to listen and help however they can. Here are some suggestions for support services:
- Samaritans. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.uk
- SHOUT crisis text line. Text Shout to 85258 if you’re experiencing a personal crisis or having suicidal thoughts.
- CALM. Call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58.
Student services
University students are battling more and more mental health conditions as the pressures of studies, adult life, and simply growing up are increasing exponentially. In 2022 it was found that as many as 4 in 5 student’s mental health was compromised at this point in their lives. If you’re a student facing poor mental health, you and your peers are not alone. Higher education institutions and universities will have a student wellbeing centre and mental health guides available for you to go and talk to and seek help.
Let Morale help
Morale is an app designed to boost your mental health. By downloading the app and sharing it with your closest friends and family, you can be a part of improving each other’s mental health and motivation with a few well-placed words of affirmation and support. Every day you can share a new positive affirmation or compliment designed to give someone a boost of self-esteem and positivity to help them through their day. Download the app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
Make sure you’re keeping up to date over on our social media, jam-packed with regular insights, top tips, and words of encouragement to help you through the day.
Want to know more about what we do and how we can help you? Send us an email to hello@moraleapp.co and one of the team will be happy to chat with you.
