At some point in every person’s life, there will come a time when they will have a mental health struggle, whether this is dealing with grief, big life changes, or addiction. Mental health can and will affect every part of a person’s life when it declines.
There are things to consider and remember that can help if you find yourself or if you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues. Whether you struggle with grief, depression, anxiety, or addiction, there is help available.
First Steps
When struggling, the first thing to do is acknowledge that you are having a mental health crisis. Once you have accepted that this is what the problem is, you can find a way to deal with what the issue is. Whether you realize you have not felt happy for a long time or that you have an addiction, owning this will help you be able to take the next step to get help.
Help
Getting help for a mental health or addiction issue can feel like the hardest step. Seeking help can be the most difficult step for most, but this step can change your life. Whether you choose to speak to a medical professional or seek some kind of treatment, any steps you take to address the issue will help you deal with or overcome this.
You will also find help and strength from your family and friends. If you have not spoken to them about your mental health struggles, it can help to be open and honest and let those close to you know what is going on.
Whether they can help with the path you choose to deal with your problems or they can be there to support you in overcoming a difficult time. Talking is key.
Support groups can also help when you are struggling. There are support groups available locally, including AA, grief support groups, and groups of people who work together to deal with their mental health struggles.
Finding a support group will give you a place to feel safe to discuss how you are feeling and to find people who feel similarly to you. Support groups have been proven to help people to overcome and work through many different struggles.
Small Changes
Some people find themselves looking to religion or religious practices to help when struggling with issues throughout their lives. Some people choose to pray, and this type of prayer is called a serenity prayer.
The meaning of serenity prayer is to pray for peace and strength to deal with things that you cannot control.
Many people find that prayer helps them to find a sense of peace in a time when they cannot find peace in their own lives. Religion helps some people to find structure in their lives and gives a sense of control when life feels out of control.
Other people will choose to use things like box breathing or meditation and mindfulness to help them on days when they are struggling to overcome their problems. Again, this can give you a small amount of control when you feel like your life is spiraling. Box breathing has also been known to help people through an anxiety or panic attacks due to the regulated breathing.