Unfortunately, we are still living in a time where mental health and seeking help are highly stigmatized. This can lead to people putting off getting help in the beginning because they do not think they need it or are ashamed. Which can turn into someone getting progressively worse and then wondering if it is too late to get help. The good news is that it is never too late or too early to get the help you want and deserve- keep reading to learn why and how to get help!
If You Think It Is Too Early…
Sometimes we do not think that we need help yet. We have a perception of being able to handle everything- or that we should be able to handle everything. Why wouldn’t we think this when we have a toxic social media feed filling our minds with unrealistic expectations and continuous comparisons? While we can do anything, we cannot do everything. And that is more than okay! We may think that there has to be a big life event or some tragedy in order to get help. That is simply not true. We can get help with anything from having healthier relationships to breaking toxic cycles to being happy with who you are as a person. It is never too early to get help.
If You Think It Is Too Late…
Sometimes we feel so lost and that it is too late to get the help we need. That is 100% false! There is always hope, even if you are feeling hopeless. It has been hard to learn that everything is temporary, but I truly believe this. While the journey to recovery may not be easy, it is a journey that is never too late to start. A great book is Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families
“But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ― Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Click To Tweet
How to get help?
1 | Know Your Rights
Realizing that you have personal rights and recognizing what these rights are is a huge step in getting the help, support, and love that you deserve. You have rights that are a fundamental part of being a human- rights that you do not need to earn or be deemed “worthy” of. Check out the complete article, Personal Bill of Rights: Acknowledging and Honoring Your Rights here– I even have a free printable with some rights listed for you! You are worthy just because you are you!
2 | Reach Out to Loved Ones
Our loved ones care about us and want us to be able to come to them for help. I know that it is hard to reach out when we are in need. I personally had to work really hard on taking off my “I’m fine” mask– the mask covering up what feelings I had and what I was going through. Then I was able to be honest about what I was feeling as well as what I needed to help. It can be scary to open up, but think about how you would want a loved one to tell you if they were having a hard time.
RELATED: Using A Codeword To Help Your Support Help You
3 | Learn About Resources to Help You
Luckily for us, there are countless helpful resources online that we can use! In my resources for help section, I have a list of different websites, hotlines, chats and apps that can help you in many different ways! For example, HealthfulChat has a wide range of illnesses and conditions with chat rooms where you can talk with peers to be able to share and receive support. You are not alone and there are always resources to help you through it all!
4 | Look into Therapy, Counseling, or Other Treatment
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy because the essence of therapy is to help you become the person you want to be! If you are currently in school, there might even be a counseling service available to you that is free or less expensive than traditional therapy. I have also gone to group therapy (you can read the top benefits of it here). There are different types of treatment methods and deciding which one is best depends on you and where you are in the recovery process.
RELATED: How to Get the Most Out of Therapy: 10 Tips
5 | Take Control!
Your life is just that- yours. It is up to you to take responsibility and to seek out the help and life that you want and deserve. It can be hard to change your life, but you can do it. A good way to start would be setting up a habit tracker where you can have a goal of filling your days with positive habits such as reading, journaling, being active, self-care, learning something new, staying hydrated, or practicing gratitude. Creating a morning routine and an evening routine could help you more than you think too! I personally love reading books for guidance- you can check out some books that have helped me with reviews right here!
Don't be a victim of circumstances and let life design you. Take an active role and be the one who designs your life.” Unknown Click To TweetRELATED: Vision Board: What, How, and Help Making Yours!
Help is Timeless
No matter where you are, there is hope! You are worth the investment to seek the help you need. There is no such thing as getting help too early or being beyond the point of help. Life can be tough, but you are strong. How do you feel about timing in terms of getting help? What has helped you get help before? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my article and any thoughts about getting help! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!
