For most people, when we think of "mental health," we often think of news stories about individuals who have committed crimes and are described as being "mentally ill," for example the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooter. Symptoms such as psychosis (seeing or hearing things which are not really there) or "multiple personalities" as portrayed in the 1976 Lorimar Productions film entitled "Sybil" come to mind when thinking of mental illness. However, this is only part of the picture.
These media portrayals of mental health create a perception that mental illness does not affect you and I. However, large numbers of individuals in our communities are affected by symptoms which interfere with their day-to-day happiness and sense of well-being. I think we all realize the importance of physical health to our lives, but people often overlook the need to take care of their emotional health. Psychotherapy can improve one's happiness and well-being by addressing mental and/or emotional health symptoms including depression, anxiety, grief and loss issues, and relationship problems.
Where I live, I'm aware of several tragic and sudden deaths of young people which have occurred over the past several years. These losses have touched a significant percentage of the families in our community. Each person who cared about one of the individuals who died experienced a loss which may impact him or her in various ways. Not everyone who experiences such a loss needs therapy, depending upon a number of factors. But the deaths of these young people, when added with other stressors, have surely been extremely difficult for some, and they may lack the coping resources to continue in their daily lives as they did before. It is important for everyone in a community to recognize the signs that someone needs help in coping with such losses, as well as the many other difficulties which can affect our lives.
Psychotherapists can help individuals regain control over their lives by helping to identify barriers to happiness and well-being, and by working together with individuals and families to develop coping skills to address these barriers. Many people are surprised to realize how much better they than can feel after participating in therapy for a short time. In my practice I have personally witnessed dozens of examples of people feeling better than they thought they could after working for periods of six months to one year in therapy. I am listing below some indicators that therapy is needed as well as some resources for individuals seeking help. If you or someone you know needs help finding your best self, I hope you will take steps toward emotional healing. Please feel free to add your comments below!
In good health,
Laura J. Reagan, LCSW-C
SOME SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MAY NEED HELP:
RESOURCES:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) Provides crisis intervention counseling via phone or online chat and information on crisis centers nationwide. Lifeline
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Provides information on mental health and a wealth of resources to locate mental health treatment. NAMI
Find a Therapist in Your Area: Find a Therapist
These media portrayals of mental health create a perception that mental illness does not affect you and I. However, large numbers of individuals in our communities are affected by symptoms which interfere with their day-to-day happiness and sense of well-being. I think we all realize the importance of physical health to our lives, but people often overlook the need to take care of their emotional health. Psychotherapy can improve one's happiness and well-being by addressing mental and/or emotional health symptoms including depression, anxiety, grief and loss issues, and relationship problems.
Where I live, I'm aware of several tragic and sudden deaths of young people which have occurred over the past several years. These losses have touched a significant percentage of the families in our community. Each person who cared about one of the individuals who died experienced a loss which may impact him or her in various ways. Not everyone who experiences such a loss needs therapy, depending upon a number of factors. But the deaths of these young people, when added with other stressors, have surely been extremely difficult for some, and they may lack the coping resources to continue in their daily lives as they did before. It is important for everyone in a community to recognize the signs that someone needs help in coping with such losses, as well as the many other difficulties which can affect our lives.
Psychotherapists can help individuals regain control over their lives by helping to identify barriers to happiness and well-being, and by working together with individuals and families to develop coping skills to address these barriers. Many people are surprised to realize how much better they than can feel after participating in therapy for a short time. In my practice I have personally witnessed dozens of examples of people feeling better than they thought they could after working for periods of six months to one year in therapy. I am listing below some indicators that therapy is needed as well as some resources for individuals seeking help. If you or someone you know needs help finding your best self, I hope you will take steps toward emotional healing. Please feel free to add your comments below!
In good health,
Laura J. Reagan, LCSW-C
SOME SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MAY NEED HELP:
- Loss of interest in activities that he or she once enjoyed
- Decreased interest in social interaction
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Increased use of substances (alcohol, drugs) to avoid unpleasant emotions
- Difficulty with peer, family and/or romantic relationships
- Excessive worrying
- Poor grades, poor work performance, refusal to go to school
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness
RESOURCES:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) Provides crisis intervention counseling via phone or online chat and information on crisis centers nationwide. Lifeline
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Provides information on mental health and a wealth of resources to locate mental health treatment. NAMI
Find a Therapist in Your Area: Find a Therapist