Know when to ask for help

For most people asking for help can often be difficult. Yes, asking for advice on planting a garden is easy, but for a serious issue, such as mental health, people may find that they don’t want to admit to the problems they’re facing.

It’s not hard to understand why they may be reluctant. Admitting that they’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed is like admitting they’re weak or inadequate. Most people learned as children that it’s important to be independent, strong and self-sufficient. That background makes it difficult to tell someone else that they’re really not OK.

The result is that people often decide to just try and do the best they can alone. In some cases, things might just turn out fine, though there are no guarantees. But going it alone could involve considerable amounts of stress and anxiety and may even lead to bigger and more serious problems.

Another common option is to turn to family or friends for help. This option can be a good idea if the people trusted with difficult problems and fears are truly understanding and able to offer meaningful support and help. Sometimes they can, but often times they just can’t.

When facing a difficult time or situation or something that’s causing depression, high stress and anxiety that makes it difficult or impossible to enjoy life, it may be time to seek out professional help. Doing so can be a difficult choice, since it means asking for help from a stranger and usually will involve a fee.

However, realize that a professional counselor is someone who has gone through extensive training and has many tools to help those feeling overwhelmed and unsure. Despite the way it’s often portrayed on TV, counseling is not something just for “crazy” people. Most counseling assists perfectly normal people who are simply facing issues and problems that are negatively affecting their lives.

Professional counselors specialize in numerous areas. Check with a local mental health association or visit the American Counseling Association website, http://www.counseling.org, to locate professional counselors in a variety of specialties.

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness, but it is rather a sign of strength to recognize when problems are real and that help is needed to do something about them.

Counseling Corner is provided by the American Counseling Association. Send comments and questions to [email protected] or visit the ACA website at http://www.counseling.org.