Mental health awareness has been getting a lot of attention recently. Therapy, counseling, psychology, and many other terms have been floating around social media and have even made it into our everyday lives through the news or radio broadcasts.

It is not uncommon to hear people say, “I don’t believe in therapy” or “Therapy doesn’t work for me,” and these are all valid claims. There are plenty of types of therapy for different problems, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, interpersonal therapy for depression, exposure therapy for phobias and more intense anxiety, and even methods like art or animal-assisted therapy. If one type of therapy feels like it “doesn’t work,” you haven’t found the one that does!

Therapy has long been stigmatized and shrouded in misconceptions. A popular belief is that “only crazy people need psychological help,” but the truth behind such a statement is that you might be scared of what you could find out about yourself. Many “talk therapies” focus on unpacking and untangling difficult feelings by discussing them, and in this process, you can learn things about yourself that you might have kept hidden for a long time or weren’t even aware of.

Mental health awareness is vital. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), there are 23 reported cases of suicide in South Africa every day. For every person who commits suicide, 10 people have attempted it. People commit suicide for a variety of reasons, such as circumstantial challenges, a history of trauma, or feelings of hopelessness. The stigma of attending therapy or counseling has devastating effects on people.

Therapy can be extremely beneficial for people who want to understand themselves better, improve emotional well-being, or learn to navigate life’s challenges more effectively. Counseling is a great place to learn more about yourself and to promote personal growth. It provides a space where you can do all these things, but it’s also a place where you can simply complain and vent without judgment or interruptions. Sometimes just having someone listen to you and offer an objective, unbiased opinion can make a huge difference.

You can learn a lot through counseling, from coping mechanisms and stress management to more effective communication skills. Mental health requires regular check-ups, just like physical health. Therapy can be a way to manage stress, anxiety, or depression before they become overwhelming. It’s also a space to work on preventative strategies to maintain mental well-being. Even if you’re not experiencing a crisis, therapy can help you work on achieving personal goals, improving self-esteem, or building better habits.

There is no checklist or quiz that can tell you, “Hey! It’s time to consider counseling!” but there are some red flags that might tip you off. If you feel like you’re spinning your wheels or stuck in a rut, unable to move forward in life, therapy can help you gain clarity and develop a strategy to break free from these feelings. Emotions are often all over the place, but if you feel like they are controlling you instead of the other way around, counseling can provide you with tools to manage them and understand their root causes.

Often, we use something external to help us cope with stress or emotional disturbances, like a glass of wine or your favorite snack. This is not in and of itself a bad thing! However, it becomes a red flag if you can’t get through the day without it or if it starts influencing your day-to-day functioning. Counseling can help you deal with the underlying problem and teach you skills to manage your reliance on these things.

The most stressful experiences in life include divorce, moving house, losing a job, experiencing the loss of a family member or friend, and serious illness or injury. These situations are all traumatic and can have lasting effects on your mental and physical health. Counseling or professional support can help you navigate these events and the emotions that might overwhelm you.

Deciding to go to therapy is a personal choice and can be a vital step towards better mental health and well-being. Whether you’re dealing with specific issues or simply want to improve your quality of life, therapy can offer the tools and support you need. If any of the signs mentioned resonate with you, it might be worth reaching out to a therapist. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health.

Author: Vygie Harmse