Seeking Help: Reach Out if You’re Struggling
Mental health is a state of well-being that allows us to cope with the stresses of life, realise our abilities, learn well, and manage our emotions. It’s just as important as physical health, and prioritising mental health has countless benefits for your well-being.
Many people believe that mental health problems are a sign of weakness, but this is not true. Mental health doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, race, education or anything else — and struggles and issues are more common than you think. They’re presented in many different ways, in all kinds of people, and it’s important to remember that nobody has to experience difficulties alone. The quicker we realise this, the easier it will be to find solutions and help ourselves, and our loved ones.
Mental health issues can include:
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Having trouble sleeping or eating
- Experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Engaging in risky behaviour
- Having difficulty in school or at work
Know and understand that if you experience mental health issues, you are certainly not alone. You are as important as any other person, and you deserve to be cared for. You can also explore many resources and channels of help, like:
- Speaking to a trusted friend, family member or important person in your life
- Professional therapists. Use the Therapist Directory to find a professional in your area.
- Find free call-based counselling for a range of issues at OpenCounseling
- Support groups like The South African Depression and Anxiety Group – SADAG
- Online resources, such as Jansenn With Me
- Mental health helplines:
Cipla Mental Health Helpline – 0800 456 789
Suicide Crisis Line – 0800 567 567
Seeking mental health shows that you’re someone who cares about your state of health, and that you are prioritising your well-being. It is brave, powerful and bold, and makes for great character development and life learning. It also helps you equip yourself with skills and coping mechanisms to take on anything in life.
Instead of avoiding the topic and creating shame around mental health difficulties, welcome these discussions and experiences, and create a safe space for the people who are struggling. Reach out to professionals, support groups, and people you trust, and get help if you need it.
Always remember that reaching out for help is one of the bravest things you can do. Send us a DM/Inbox on any of our platforms if you want to chat.
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