“I Need Help:” Where to Start Your Mental Health Treatment Journey

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Know If You Need HelpHow to Get Help

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Table of Contents

How to Know If You Need Help

How to Get Help

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If you feel stressed,anxious, or depressed, or just “off” in some way, but don’t know where to start when it comes to getting help, you are not alone. In 2020, for example, over 21% of American adults experienced mental health conditions, yet less than half of them (46.2%) received help.It can be difficult to start your mental health journey, but simply saying to yourself, “I need help” is a wonderful and empowering first step. Read on for information about how to recognize mental health conditions, how to get the help you need, and other important resources for addressing your mental health concerns.What You Can Do to Cope With AnxietyHow to Know If You Need HelpIn any given year, about 1 in 5 of us will experience a mental health condition.Mental health conditions look different for each of us and we each experience them in unique ways. Particular mental health conditions can’t be self-diagnosed; you need a formal diagnosis from a doctor or therapist. But there are some signs that might indicate that you need help.Signs of Mental Health ConditionsSome of the most common signs that you may be struggling with your mental health include:Trouble concentrating or thinking clearlyChanges in sleep: having trouble sleeping, or sleeping too muchChanges in eating patternsIrrational thoughts or racing thoughtsFeeling anxious, nervous, or irritableDramaticmood swingsFlinching easily; hypersensitivity to sensory stimulationPersonal behavior that feels out of character to youFeeling disconnected from yourself and others; feeling numbNo longer wanting to participate in activities you previously enjoyedHaving trouble at work, school, or in your social lifeHave thoughts of self-harm or suicideAccording to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), just having a few of these symptoms isn’t enough to definitively say that you have a mental health condition. But experiencing any or several of these is a reason for you to seek care from a healthcare professional ormental health professional.Importantly, if you are having thoughts of suicide, this is considered a medical emergency, and you should seek immediate help.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Barriers to Seeking HelpEven if you are experiencing some of the symptoms of a mental health condition, and know it’s probably best to reach out, it’s common to feel some hesitation. Case in point: according to a study published in theBritish Journal of General Practice, 35% of respondents who were experiencing signs of mental health disorders did not seek help.The researchers found that there were several reasons why they felt reluctant to get help, including:Beliefs andstigmasagainst the idea of seeking help for mental illnessStruggles with expressing or sharing feelingsThe idea that you are supposed to handle your mental health struggles on your ownDifficulty finding or accessing mental health servicesIn other words, many people don’t seek help because of their belief systems surrounding mental health, along with deep societal stigmas around the idea of seeking help. But it’s a myth that seeking help is a sign of weakness or that there is any shame in expressing what is going on with you. Everyone deserves to have their feelings heard and respected.What Is Emotional Lability?How to Get HelpWhen you first start out on your mental health treatment journey, you may feel overwhelmed, and you might not know where to start. Let’s go through the steps and options that are available to you.For Immediate HelpSometimes you need immediate help for a mental health concern. If you are thinking of harming yourself, having thoughts of suicide, are hearing voices or havinghallucinations, you should seek immediate mental health and medical care. If your loved one is experiencing any of these things, you can reach out for them.If you need prompt help, you should call your healthcare provider, or visit your nearest emergency room or urgent care center.Finding Mental Health ServicesThere are many options when it comes to mental health care, from counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, group therapy, mental health support groups, and online therapists.When you are just starting out on your mental health journey, it can be helpful to visit your primary care provider. They can rule out any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms, and help guide you to a mental health service that is right for you.The Best Mental Health Apps, Tried and TestedPaying for TherapyMost health insurances will cover therapy, though their coverage may be limited, and only certain providers may be covered.The Affordable Care Act ensures that most insurance plans covermental health services. All marketplace plans do, and many individual and HMO plans do as well. Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP plans have required mental health coverage components.It’s a good idea to call your insurance company to find out what services and providers and covered. If you are looking for more free or lower-cost services, you might consider:Federal resources, such asSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)andHealth Resources and Services Administration (HRSA),which provide treatment center lists and low-cost resources for mental health servicesProfessional organizations, likeAnxiety and Depression Association of America,National Alliance on Mental Illness, andMental Health America, which offer provider lists and referralsUniversities, medical teaching centers, and therapist training programs, which may offer low-cost optionsState and local agencies, which may offer free or low-cost counseling and support programsAnother choice to consider is online therapy, which usually offers lower-cost options, and options that are more convenient for working people, parents, people with disabilities, and people who have fewer choices in their local area.Online therapy is not for everyone, and some people prefer in-person therapy. Still, studies have found online therapy to be effective for many people when it comes to relieving challenging mental help symptoms.The Pros and Cons of Online TherapyA Word From VerywellFacing a mental health struggle and realizing you need help can be scary and disorienting. You may be reluctant to seek help because ofshame. But being able to open up and say “I need help” is one of the strongest and bravest things you can do. Getting help for your challenges is possible, necessary, and the first step on your journey of healing and feeling more like yourself again.When Should I Call a Depression Hotline?

If you feel stressed,anxious, or depressed, or just “off” in some way, but don’t know where to start when it comes to getting help, you are not alone. In 2020, for example, over 21% of American adults experienced mental health conditions, yet less than half of them (46.2%) received help.

It can be difficult to start your mental health journey, but simply saying to yourself, “I need help” is a wonderful and empowering first step. Read on for information about how to recognize mental health conditions, how to get the help you need, and other important resources for addressing your mental health concerns.

What You Can Do to Cope With Anxiety

In any given year, about 1 in 5 of us will experience a mental health condition.Mental health conditions look different for each of us and we each experience them in unique ways. Particular mental health conditions can’t be self-diagnosed; you need a formal diagnosis from a doctor or therapist. But there are some signs that might indicate that you need help.

Signs of Mental Health Conditions

Some of the most common signs that you may be struggling with your mental health include:

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), just having a few of these symptoms isn’t enough to definitively say that you have a mental health condition. But experiencing any or several of these is a reason for you to seek care from a healthcare professional ormental health professional.

Importantly, if you are having thoughts of suicide, this is considered a medical emergency, and you should seek immediate help.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Barriers to Seeking Help

Even if you are experiencing some of the symptoms of a mental health condition, and know it’s probably best to reach out, it’s common to feel some hesitation. Case in point: according to a study published in theBritish Journal of General Practice, 35% of respondents who were experiencing signs of mental health disorders did not seek help.

The researchers found that there were several reasons why they felt reluctant to get help, including:

In other words, many people don’t seek help because of their belief systems surrounding mental health, along with deep societal stigmas around the idea of seeking help. But it’s a myth that seeking help is a sign of weakness or that there is any shame in expressing what is going on with you. Everyone deserves to have their feelings heard and respected.

What Is Emotional Lability?

When you first start out on your mental health treatment journey, you may feel overwhelmed, and you might not know where to start. Let’s go through the steps and options that are available to you.

For Immediate Help

Sometimes you need immediate help for a mental health concern. If you are thinking of harming yourself, having thoughts of suicide, are hearing voices or havinghallucinations, you should seek immediate mental health and medical care. If your loved one is experiencing any of these things, you can reach out for them.

If you need prompt help, you should call your healthcare provider, or visit your nearest emergency room or urgent care center.

Finding Mental Health Services

There are many options when it comes to mental health care, from counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, group therapy, mental health support groups, and online therapists.

When you are just starting out on your mental health journey, it can be helpful to visit your primary care provider. They can rule out any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms, and help guide you to a mental health service that is right for you.

The Best Mental Health Apps, Tried and Tested

Paying for Therapy

Most health insurances will cover therapy, though their coverage may be limited, and only certain providers may be covered.

The Affordable Care Act ensures that most insurance plans covermental health services. All marketplace plans do, and many individual and HMO plans do as well. Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP plans have required mental health coverage components.

It’s a good idea to call your insurance company to find out what services and providers and covered. If you are looking for more free or lower-cost services, you might consider:

Another choice to consider is online therapy, which usually offers lower-cost options, and options that are more convenient for working people, parents, people with disabilities, and people who have fewer choices in their local area.Online therapy is not for everyone, and some people prefer in-person therapy. Still, studies have found online therapy to be effective for many people when it comes to relieving challenging mental help symptoms.

The Pros and Cons of Online Therapy

A Word From Verywell

Facing a mental health struggle and realizing you need help can be scary and disorienting. You may be reluctant to seek help because ofshame. But being able to open up and say “I need help” is one of the strongest and bravest things you can do. Getting help for your challenges is possible, necessary, and the first step on your journey of healing and feeling more like yourself again.

When Should I Call a Depression Hotline?

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Illness.Mental Health America.Finding Help: When To Get It And Where To Go.American Psychiatric Association.Warning Signs of Mental Illness.Salaheddin K, Mason B.Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. British Journal of General Practice. 2016;66(651):e686-e692. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687313National Institute of Mental Health.Help for Mental Illnesses.Kumar V, Sattar Y, Bseiso A, Khan S, Rutkofsky I.The Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Cureus. 2017;9(8):e1626. doi:10.7759/cureus.1626Ierardi E, Bottini M, Riva Crugnola C.Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychology. 2022;10(35). doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7Additional ReadingSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get Immediate Help.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Illness.Mental Health America.Finding Help: When To Get It And Where To Go.American Psychiatric Association.Warning Signs of Mental Illness.Salaheddin K, Mason B.Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. British Journal of General Practice. 2016;66(651):e686-e692. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687313National Institute of Mental Health.Help for Mental Illnesses.Kumar V, Sattar Y, Bseiso A, Khan S, Rutkofsky I.The Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Cureus. 2017;9(8):e1626. doi:10.7759/cureus.1626Ierardi E, Bottini M, Riva Crugnola C.Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychology. 2022;10(35). doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7Additional ReadingSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get Immediate Help.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Illness.Mental Health America.Finding Help: When To Get It And Where To Go.American Psychiatric Association.Warning Signs of Mental Illness.Salaheddin K, Mason B.Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. British Journal of General Practice. 2016;66(651):e686-e692. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687313National Institute of Mental Health.Help for Mental Illnesses.Kumar V, Sattar Y, Bseiso A, Khan S, Rutkofsky I.The Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Cureus. 2017;9(8):e1626. doi:10.7759/cureus.1626Ierardi E, Bottini M, Riva Crugnola C.Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychology. 2022;10(35). doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7

National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Illness.

Mental Health America.Finding Help: When To Get It And Where To Go.

American Psychiatric Association.Warning Signs of Mental Illness.

Salaheddin K, Mason B.Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. British Journal of General Practice. 2016;66(651):e686-e692. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687313

National Institute of Mental Health.Help for Mental Illnesses.

Kumar V, Sattar Y, Bseiso A, Khan S, Rutkofsky I.The Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Cureus. 2017;9(8):e1626. doi:10.7759/cureus.1626

Ierardi E, Bottini M, Riva Crugnola C.Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychology. 2022;10(35). doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get Immediate Help.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Get Immediate Help.

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