Thinking Outside the Box: Why Early Mental Health Support Matters
Let’s face it—life can be unpredictable, and sometimes it throws us off balance. Just like regular tune-ups keep your car running smoothly, early mental health support can keep your well-being in check.
Seeking support early isn’t about overreacting to every wobble. It’s about catching small concerns before they grow into bigger challenges. After all, isn’t it better to fix a minor issue before it becomes a major breakdown?
Benefits of seeking help early:
You build strengths that feel almost like superpowers! Research shows that early intervention helps develop valuable coping skills (Keyes, 2007) – your very own mental health toolkit. Imagine having a secret arsenal of stress-busting techniques and a resilient mindset to tackle life's challenges with confidence.
Addressing concerns early can help make life’s ups and downs more manageable (Slade, 2010). Untreated mental health concerns can feel like an endless rollercoaster ride – ups and downs, twists and turns. Early support can help you smooth out the ride and enjoy the journey more (Huppert, 2009).
Stronger connections: Mental health challenges can sometimes strain relationships(Rüsch et al., 2005). Early support not only helps you but also strengthens your connections with loved ones, creating a supportive network around you.
Signs It Might Be Time to Check In
It's important to remember that everyone feels down sometimes. But if you're noticing some recurring patterns, like:
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness (Patel et al., 2018).
Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels (Rickwood et al., 2007).
Withdrawal from social activities and interests (Corrigan et al., 2014).
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions (Summerfield, 2001).
Increased irritability or restlessness.
Unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach aches.
It might be time to reach out because your mental health matters.
Remember, taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of self-care and a commitment to your well-being (Jorm, 2012). Just like you'd prioritise physical health with regular check-ups, prioritising your mental health is an investment in your overall well-being and success. Want more personalised support?
References:
Corrigan, P. W., Druss, B. G., & Perlick, D. A. (2014). The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 15(2), 37-70.
Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well‐being: Evidence regarding its causes and consequences. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 1(2), 137-164.
Jorm, A. F. (2012). Mental health literacy: Empowering the community to take action for better mental health. American Psychologist, 67(3), 231-243.
Keyes, C. L. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95-108.
Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P., ... & UnÜtzer, J. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553-1598.
Rickwood, D. J., Deane, F. P., & Wilson, C. J. (2007). When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems? Medical Journal of Australia, 187(S7), S35-S39.
Rüsch, N., Angermeyer, M. C., & Corrigan, P. W. (2005). Mental illness stigma: Concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma. European Psychiatry, 20(8), 529-539
Slade, M. (2010). Mental illness and well-being: The central importance of positive psychology and recovery approaches. BMC Health Services Research, 10(1), 26.