What are some common misconceptions about mental health that you would like to address?
I would like to address the myth that if you open up to a therapist and talk about hard topics like suicidal ideation or self harm, that your therapist will send you to a mental health hospital against your will and you’ll be “locked up”. This is simply not true. If someone is struggling with this topic therapy can offer a safe place to explore, process, and heal with confidentiality.
What are some signs that a person may be struggling with their mental health?
Everyone is different but some signs could be emotionally and/or physical withdrawing, a negative change in habits or enjoyable activities, changes in sleep, appetite, or mood and even an increase in physical complaints and trouble concentrating or forgetfulness.
What should someone do if they need help but don’t know where to start?
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please call 911 or call/text 988 which is the national mental health hot-line. It is free and available 24/7! If you are looking for non-emergent help with a therapist, you can look for a provider by searching online, word of mouth, or even by listing agents like psychologytoday.com or therapyden.com where therapist pay to be professionally listed. Most therapist offer free consultations to meet with you to determine proper fit or to help refer you to the best provider for your mental health needs.
What can we do as a community to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health?
Model the behavior we want to normalize. When community leaders, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, and others openly prioritize their own mental well-being, it sends the message that caring for mental health is simply part of caring for ourselves and not something we do only in crisis and separate from our overall health and wellness.
What would you say to someone who feels embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help?
There can be a lot of vulnerability in letting another person know we are struggling, especially if we have spent years being the person who handles everything and pushes it all down. Needing support is part of being human. So I would tell them that we all have moments when we struggle. No one has the perfect life, no matter how much you think they do. Your therapist is not there to judge you, they are there to hear you and help you navigate something that may have become a little too heavy for you to carry alone. Therapy is private, confidential, and HIPPA regulated to protect your personal information.
If you could give every person in Texarkana one piece of advice about taking care of their mental health, what would it be?
Therapy is not only for those in crisis, or actively struggling with mental health concerns. Therapy is also used for preventive measures like stress reduction, personal growth, even career counseling, marriage and family support, or social attunement and skill building.
