Identifying & Addressing Mental Struggles: Educating Yourself & Others - Crisis Resources Included
- Sofia Isabella Flores
- Sep 16, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 4, 2021
Being that I and millions of others struggle with my own mental health on a daily basis,
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Anyway, while many of us are at home, isolated, or longing for the entire world once again reach a state of complete normalcy, there lies the perfect opportunity to not only prioritize our physical and mental well being, but we are also free to plan and organize our lives to better prepare for the future ahead.
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I would like to preface by making it very clear that all individuals are vastly different; we can all tolerate varying levels of anxiety, depression, stress, etc. There are countless triggers, traumas, and remedies; however, no one should feel as though he/she should endure his/her burdens alone.
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We are all members of one united society - the human race.
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If you or someone you care for is experiencing mental or emotional instability, you have the right as a human being to seek help. (EMERGENCY HOTLINES BELOW)
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1) Research Your Symptoms: Learn How To Better Understand What You Are Experiencing
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I cannot stress enough how important it is to gain reliable insight as to what it is you might be struggling with. While not all internet sources are trustworthy, there are thousands of medical sites, journals, studies, and documents available to anyone with a phone or access to the wonderful creation that is Google.
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I myself have spent hours scouring the internet for common symptoms, treatments, and guides to aid me with my anxiety disorder.
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By becoming familiar with general mental illnesses and your own specific struggles, you can become better equipped to manage it and express your needs from others in order to better support you.
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Please, do not think that spending your weeks on a screen will make you a professional in any regard. Researching your conditions and seeking answers will only offer minimal results.
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Sadly, no amount of time on WebMD alone will give you a P.hD. (Darn. That would save us all from so much in student loans.)
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If you believe you might have social anxiety/social phobia, research its common signs and treatments.
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How does anxiety present itself?
What are the main anxiety disorders?
What is the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?
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If you believe you might have an underlying trauma that prevents you from fully embracing or experiencing life, research PTSD and trauma. Learn what may have been a factor in that traumatizing event; is that factor still a common occurrence in your life? Are you in a position to rid yourself of that factor?
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If you suffer from paranoia, compulsions, restrictive, or even reckless behavior, research what conditions it could be attributed to. Be specific. Learn how others have gone about treating it and possible coping mechanisms that could aid your own recovery and/or life in coexistence with it.
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Remaining ignorant will not make your troubles diminish.
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2) Build Strong Communication: Be Honest With Yourself & Others
To those struggling with anxiety and pessimism like me, I would like to affirm you with this simple truth: The world is not against you.
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Over the last few months, I believe it has become quite clear that the world is ever-changing and inconsistent.
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That being so, the Earth is far too preoccupied with its own turmoil to create more trouble for you.
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While many of our struggles appear out of our control and sent from the universe as punishment against us, they can often be the result of untreated issues and underlying struggles that we fail to repair and solve before they consume us.
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By building communication with those close to you, the task of addressing your mental battles becomes less daunting.
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Be sure to address your triggers and needed accommodations. You are not a burden when you need to ask for the assistance or compliance of others.
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The people in which surround you and mean the most to your existence in this world would do anything to lift your troubles from your life and guide you towards a far more enriching and bright existence. And if those closest to you do not wish the best for your life, that is a critical issue to address within itself and could be a contributing factor to your mental and/or emotional distress.
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If you know in your heart and mind that large crowds are not your scene, make that clear to your friends and family. From there, you can build up to one day entering big, public encounters without overwhelming yourself and being thrust into uncomfortable situations.
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If you come to need the guidance of a therapist or other professionals in the psychological field, practice honest and strong communication with those experts.
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They are trained to interpret the information you provide and offer suggestions to implement in your daily life.
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There is no magic phrase or quick fix that will solve all of your issues. The people in which you seek to help you will not have all of the answers, and they cannot help you without being aware of all of the complexities that encompass your personal hardships.
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Being able to articulate your specific points of difficulty and take the advice and assistance from those working to comfort you are the vital foundations to becoming comfortable and resilient, in spite of your mental tribulations.
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3) Be Your Own Advocate: Make Your Needs & Expectations Clear
Once you realize what triggers or environments only bring further detriment to your mental health, take the initiative to bring them to the attention of those in your life.
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You are your most important representative.
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Only you know the full extent of your mind, thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
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If you know that loud parties or gatherings of many people bring anxiety and stress, tell your friends and family that you may not be able to stay for the full event that is upcoming or in the future. Or, that you cannot attend it at all. Make prior arrangements for a possible exit route in the event of a panic attack or overwhelming stimulus. If others are not aware of how to help you, your chances of experiencing life to its fullest become much slimmer. Do what you can. Be honest. Be open. You are not at fault for what your brain sometimes fails to help you with.
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If your depression was at an all-time low throughout the week, and you do not think that you can play in the game on Friday night, tell your coach(es). Be honest about your struggles. Ask what they believe is the best option for you and your team. In order to best support your teammates and those who believe in you, you have to do what is best and healthiest for you overall.
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If you experienced a panic attack or flashback to a traumatic event during class (online or on campus) that prevented you from focussing on the lesson, tell your teacher. Ask for an extension on the necessary assignment(s) or recap of what you missed in class. As a mentor, it is their duty to best support you and your academic progression.
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As an individual who has experienced ALL of these scenarios and numerous others, I have learned how significant and beneficial it is to advocate for myself and what I need to succeed.
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You are not a bother or inconvenience to those who care about you.
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The people in your life should uplift and guide you. And you should be able to do the same for them. You cannot bolster others if your own hands have been tied. You cannot show others the way if your own eyes have been blinded by burden.
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Therefore, you cannot properly care for those who seek your aid if you do not properly care for yourself as well.
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"Treat Yourself With Kindness"
(My personal catchphrase inspired by none other than Harry Edward Styles)
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There is a rather conflicted debate on whether one has the grounds to seek professional help, or simply the support of close friends and family. I would like to assure you that any level of emotional and mental anguish deserves to be eradicated; it is troublesome and often debilitating. Unfortunately, I am aware that many lack the knowledge and resources to discover stable support. And while I am far from a professional, I am always available and more than happy to listen in full support to you or any other individual in need of a friend.
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Do not be afraid to help yourself.
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You deserve to experience joy.
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In light & peace,
Sofia F.
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“There is a place and purpose for you. All triumphs and tragedies are bricks upon your road towards joy.”
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Emergency Hotlines - U.S.A
Domestic Abuse & Hardship
Childhelp (1.800.4ACHILD) 24/7 assistance in 170 languages for adults, children and youth. Offers information and questions regarding child abuse. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1.800.799.SAFE) National call center will refer your call to local resources. Spanish and 160 other languages available. No caller is ID used. Befrienders Worldwide Worldwide resources for suicide counseling and support. National Parent Helpline (1.855.4A.PARENT) Helpline for parent and caregiver support. National Human Trafficking Hotline (1.888.373.7888) National and confidential toll-free hotline to report trafficking or connect with anti-trafficking services, 24/7, available in 200 languages. Text also available for survivors: text HELP to BEFREE (233733) from 3pm-11pm.
Dating Abuse
loveisrespect focuses on young adult relationships and hopes to end dating abuse. loveisrespect offers 24/7 help.
Sexual Assault & Crime Victims
National Sexual Assault Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE) (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network - RAINN) Nationwide referrals for specialized counseling and support groups. Hotline (1.800.656.4673) routes calls to local sex assault crisis centers for resources and referrals. Spanish available.
Helplines for Victims of Crime (Office for Victims of Crime) List of national helplines for any victim of a crime including: sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and more.
Depression and Suicide
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386 (24/7)
The Trevor Project offers support to the LGBTQ young adult community. Both of the hotlines provided offer 24/7 help.
There are also suicide hotlines specific to your area.
World-Wide Suicide and Crisis Hotlines Listing of crisis lines around the world for anyone feeling depressed, overwhelmed or suicidal. Now Matters Now Suicide prevention website offering videos on other people's experiences, mindfulness techniques and coping skills.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.TALK ) 24/7 support for anyone feeling depressed, anxious, or suicidal.
Eating Disorders
NEDA offers help to a variety of eating disorders and hopes to "envision a world without eating disorders." NEDA is available Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EST).
General Crisis
Crisis Text Line: Text SUPPORT to 741-741
The Crisis Text Line extends to everyone. Their goal "...is helping people move from a hot moment to a cool calm, guiding you to create a plan to stay safe and healthy. YOU = our priority." 24/7 help is available.
Mental Illness
NAMI provides treatment options and programs. They wish to "raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need." The NAMI hotline is available every Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Veterans Crisis Line
The VA's focus is to help veterans of all ages adjust to the transition of coming back, in addition to helping with any mental health issues or relationships. The VA offers 24/7 help
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Works Cited - Resources For Hotlines:
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Klingberg Family Centers. “Crisis Hotlines.” Stop It Now, 2019, www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/crisis-hotlines.
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Victims Connect. “About Us.” VictimConnect, 2020, victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/.
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