What Does A Counselor Do If You Are Suicidal
Initially, the therapist will talk with the suicidal person and listen carefully as he or she tells their story. A test may be done to determine how suicidal the person is. The person may also be asked to sign a no suicide contract, in which he or she promises not to commit suicide without first seeking help.
Who And Psyon Games Teach Players How To Stay Safe From Covid
WHO and Psyon Games have joined forces to launch a new tower defense game called the Antidote COVID-19 to turn complex, scientific information into a fun learning experience. During the course of the game, players will learn about their immune system, pathogens, vaccines and how to protect themselves from COVID-19.
The game comes at a critical point of the pandemic where misinformation is hindering COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and adherence to other public health measures due to fear, mistrust and doubt. By putting players in the drivers seat, the game urges everyone to play a role in fighting harmful misinformation online, and learning and sharing the facts from trusted sources of information.
The game starts just before the pandemic begins. The player is recruited to halt the spread of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by developing vaccines and helping the human immune system fight off the virus. Based on real events, this online adventure takes the player to the frontline of science, ultimately providing lifesaving information in the palms of their hands.
How Do You Ask Your Parents For Help With Mental Health
Asking for help starts with knowing there is nothing wrong with seeking mental health treatment.
While the idea of approaching your loved ones about your struggles can seem frightening, your parents are most likely going to be more sympathetic and less judgmental than you think. There is nothing wrong with needing help.
Just like you would ask your parents for help if you were struggling in a specific subject in school, its crucial to ask for help finding treatment services if you are struggling with your mental health.
Explain to your parents how you are feeling and how your feelings affect your everyday life. For example, you may feel so anxious that you feel sick and cant get out of bed to go to school.
Once you explain how you feel, its best to flat-out tell your parents that you need help. Instead of explaining why you have these feelings, you can say something along the lines of I want to see someone who can help.
Dont wait to ask for help.
The sooner you can approach your loved ones about finding mental health treatment, the sooner you will feel a reprieve from your symptoms. Asking for help as soon as possible will help improve your emotional health and well-being.
You May Like: This Is Your Mind On Plants Michael Pollan
Talk To A Trusted Family Member
This could be an older sibling, a cool aunt, or even a supportive grandparent.
If you arent sure where to begin, here are some conversation prompts:
- I was wondering if I could share something really personal that Im struggling with. Im having a hard time emotionally, but Mom is really resistant to letting me see a therapist. Do you think you could talk to her for me?
- Can I trust you with something? Ive been feeling very depressed. I want to see a therapist, but Dad is having some hesitations. Could we talk to him together?
- Youve always felt like someone I could talk to when things get bad. I really need your help. Ive been feeling awful lately, but Baba is against the idea of me seeing a therapist. What should I do?
Understanding Depression: Symptoms Causes And Treatments
Hi, I’m Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a clinical psychologist at Mayo Clinic. And I’m here to talk with you about depression. Whether you’re looking for answers for yourself, a friend, or loved one, understanding the basics of depression can help you take the next step.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness that won’t go away. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of stigma around depression. Depression isn’t a weakness or a character flaw. It’s not about being in a bad mood, and people who experience depression can’t just snap out of it. Depression is a common, serious, and treatable condition. If you’re experiencing depression, you’re not alone. It honestly affects people of all ages and races and biological sexes, income levels and educational backgrounds. Approximately one in six people will experience a major depressive episode at some point in their lifetime, while up to 16 million adults each year suffer from clinical depression.
Also Check: Why Am I So Slow Mentally
‘junk Sleep’: When You Feel Tired Even After A Full Night’s Rest
Your alarm just went off. Ugh. Still tired, you groan and press snooze a couple more times before eventually forcing yourself out of bed. After doing the math, you realise you technically slept enough hours . Maybe youve even been trying to go to bed earlier and feel frustrated you arent reaping the benefits yet. What gives?
One potential reason: Your sleep hasnt been as solid as you think. Its been junk sleep, aka not long enough or high-quality enough to nourish your brain and body. For example, maybe you slept a full eight hours, but it wasnt deep, or you kept waking up throughout the night.
The term junk sleep has over 36 million views on TikTok, but if you havent heard of it before, how can you know youre dealing with it, what causes it and how can you beat it?
Prep Step #: Prepare For Pushback
When I talked to my parents about therapy, their reactions gave me whiplash because it hadnt occurred to me that they might aggressively shoot down the idea. The result? So. Many. Feelings. But my experience is actually pretty common, according to Dr. Mendez.
Many parents will react with feeling accused or blamed, she says. Theyll say, Weve given you everything how can you feel this way? It seems like youre passing judgement on their parenting skills. Like, if they were better parents, you wouldnt be struggling.
Even parents who are loving, supportive, and empowering can feel a sense of failure or panic. Your reaction to that might be: WTF, this is about me, not you. But if you can prepare for and allow that potential reaction to play out, says Dr. Mendez, youll prevent it from shutting down the conversation.
Which you dont want, because that would only delay the help you need. When college sophomore Emma, who asked that her name be changed, started having bouts of depression in ninth grade, she hid it from her parents.
Her moms original reaction? Dismissed as a teenage phase: If only she were more popular. If only she had a boyfriend. If only she were a starter on her Lacrosse team. If only, if only, if only
Her advice to kids in the same situation: Dont ignore the voice in your head telling you to ask for help, she says. It was a hard conversation but it helped me.
Don’t Miss: Masters Mental Health Counseling Online
How To Tell Your Parents You Need Help
Theres nothing scarier than confessing to your parents that you have a problem with addiction to drugs and alcohol, that you need to find help through a medically supervised alcohol detox program and drug detox facility, and that you desperately need them to support you instead of angry with you. Parents want to see you well cared for, safe and confident in your future. When youre not following a lifestyle leading to those things they may express their objections. Let me tell you a secret. Even though it feels this terrifying, the most likely outcome is that your parents will indeed be supportive, and loving, and proud of you for the courage it takes to face addiction to drugs or addiction to alcohol and to start on the the road to recovery through a medical detox program and by finding the best rehab facility for you. Here are some tips about how to make the conversation easier and less intimidating.
How To Tell Your Parents You Need Therapy
If you have concerns about your mental or emotional health, you are far from alone. Millions of teens and young adults live with mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
In fact, the World Health Organization reports that half of all mental health conditions start by age 14.Unfortunately, so many of these cases go undetected and untreated.
Acknowledging theres an issue is the first step to feeling better. Asking for help is the second. That said, asking about therapy can feel overwhelming, but it is also very courageous.
If youre ready to take the next step and talk to your parents about treatment, you might be wondering how to start the conversation. You might also be wondering how to prepare, what to expect, and how to handle the situation if your parents are not supportive.
These are all valid concerns and questions. Thats why we asked three mental health experts to share their tips and suggestions about how to approach your parents about wanting to go to therapy.
You May Like: October Mental Health Awareness Month
How To Tell Your Parents You Need Mental Health Care
Im afraid to tell my parents that I need help. What should I do?
Ufff. Such a good question. As if it wasnt tough enough to realize that youre struggling. Now you have to find the right words to tell Mom, Dad, or some other decision-making adult in your life that you need help and then deal with their emotions about it. Youre afraid theyll get upset, or overreact, or dismiss what youre feeling as just a phase. Maybe theyre part of the problem. Seriously?!?
Yes, all of that is possible. But its important to remember that, while talking to your parents can be hard, the effort is totally worth it. No matter what youre going through, you deserve to feel better. Theres nothing wrong with asking for support. Having an adult ally in your court someone who can advocate for you and at least try to understand is an important step toward getting the care you need. Start building your very own support team by giving a parent or guardian the opportunity to be there for you. If youre under 18 , you may also need their consent to see a doctor or a therapist.
Not sure where to begin? Here are five tips for talking to your parents about mental health.
1. Think about what you feel comfortable sharing before having the talk.
2. Set aside an undistracted time that works for them and you.
You dont have to say much to get things going. Try suggesting whatd work best for you, such as:
Could we spend some time together, just you and me, on Saturday? I need to talk.
Plan The Conversation By Writing It Down
Planning has a powerful effect on initiated conversations. Prepare a journal of thoughts and content in the most convincing manner. Whatever you are struggling with, jot it all down. With that, you also have to figure out the best time to talk to your parents. Make sure you are open and free to express your thoughts and feelings.
Also Check: Brain Cancer Survival Rate By Age
Extending Supporting To Your Parent
Other than finding the right expert, making the parent understand that you are there to listen to them is of utmost importance. Expressing affectionate dialogues, and concerns for their physical and mental well-being can help them realise that they are valued. Spending some time together and partaking in activities that they enjoy can help create harmony in the family.
Read iDiva for the latest in Bollywood, fashion looks, beauty and lifestyle news.
Initiate The Conversation At Home
A simple “How are you feeling today?” can go a long way. I don’t know how many family members might be asking each other this question and how frequently. Noticing subtle behavioural changes like sleep disturbance, aloofness, loss of appetite, irritability and academic decline may point towards something being wrong with the mental health of a person. Just neglecting the storm cant stop it. We need to adjust the sails to resolve the issue at hand.
Recommended Reading: Scriptures About Renewing Your Mind
Write Down Your Reasons
Now that youve got your thoughts straight, write down what you want to say to your parents. I dont say this because I think you need another piece of homework, I say this because it can be very intimidating and anxiety-causing to talk to your parents and you might forget what you want to say. This happens to everyone. During that all-important conversation the points you want to make just fly out of your head. And take a look at it from your parents perspective if you cant tell them whats wrong, how can they help you?
If You Need To Try Again
It isnt always a good time for parents to talk, says clinical psychologist Rachel Busman, PhD. If you feel like your parents brushed you off before, try asking them again. Sometimes it takes parents a little time to get the message. But Dr. Busman recommends this time setting aside time to talk. Say, Theres something that I want to talk to you about, and its important. When are you going to be free to talk?
Dr. Busman says going to another adult you trust can be helpful, too. An aunt or an uncle can help you talk to your parents about how youre feeling. A trusted adult at school, like a teacher or a school psychologist, is also a good option. Even if youre having problems at school, someone there will want to help you, says Dr. Busman. Its their job to help you feel successful.
You May Like: What Is Brain Atrophy And Cognitive Decline
Find A Counselor At Your School
A little self-disclosure: When I was a teen, this is ultimately the route that I had to take to access help.
Many schools have something called a crisis counselor, and they arent required to report back to your parents except in extreme cases, such as being a risk to yourself or others.
Some schools also have psychologists that you can schedule time with. Reach out to a trusted teacher or staff member to get more information on whats available to you.
Try To Find A Time Free From Distractions To Talk To Your Parents About Therapy
Think about a time and place that would be best to have a potentially stressful conversation. When your parent is going to or coming home from work, taking care of other family members, or getting things done around the house probably wonât be good times. Ask if you can speak to them privately away from other family members, maybe on a walk outside the house or a car ride.
If you donât live with your parent or you canât talk to them in person, schedule a video chat or call ahead of time instead of contacting them without notice. Say that you have something you want to talk to them about so they can prepare a private, quiet place on their end.
Read Also: How To Clear Your Mind Quickly
How To Encourage Your Parents To Go To Therapy
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
For teens and young adults, as well as adults, its challenging when you recognize that your parents need therapy. Sometimes parents associate seeking counseling with having something wrong with them. After all, for generations, mental health issues were taboo topics and not discussed.
So, perhaps you fear your parents will be hesitant about the whole issue. Or totally rule out your ideas completely. Although therapy is not always a welcome suggestion, you can address the conversation in a productive manner, and help your parents see the value of therapy.
How Can You Get Treatment For Mental Health Disorders
After talking to your parents about your mental health problems, they can help you seek treatment at a teen mental health facility. The facility can either provide you with residential, outpatient, or partial hospitalization treatment. Some of the treatment programs at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, for instance, include:
You May Like: Best Brain Game Apps 2021
Questions And Responses You Should Anticipate
There is a stigma around mental illness that can make it challenging for teens and young adults to approach their parents about getting help. Planning out what youre going to say and anticipating questions and responses that your parents may have can help you stay focused on your needs.
That said, try not to overthink to the point that you get too stressed to have the conversation with your parents. Remember, most parents are willing to do anything to help their kids, says Jason Drake, a licensed clinical social worker, and owner of Katy Teen & Family Counseling.
Although some parents are aware of the struggles and have been trying to help, Drake says others may be unaware, and this may be new for them to hear about the extent of your struggles.
With that in mind, Drake says some common questions from parents often center around trying to understand more about the problem and how they can help.
