THUNAIIt is very difficult to call someone and say that you are depressed or feeling suicidal and ask them for help. We understand how difficult it is for you to do this. But you should do this for yourself. We hope the following points will help you tide over your hesitation and mental blocks.
Key Points:
Recognize how depression can interfere with your efforts to seek help. Take one step at a time.
5 Tips - Resist Stigmatizing yourself, Reach out where you feel the most comfortable, Practice saying that you are not okay, Have someone else call for an appointment, Don’t be afraid of a diagnosis.
Knowing how to ask for help when you’re depressed isn’t just about defining the action steps. It’s also about understanding how depression tends to stand in the way of those steps and finding the small windows of opportunity for hope and connection. It’s perfectly okay to take one small step at a time.
1. Depression/Trauma is an injury; Nothing to be Ashamed off:
Depression (as a result of childhood trauma or otherwise) is a problem that has a solution. It is not a mark of failure or a punishment or a weakness, and it is not your fault because of something you did or because of who you are . The fact that depression is a psychological disorder can take some of the pressure off your mind and emotions.
There are treatments that effectively relieve symptoms and empower you to manage depression and trauma after-effects over the long term—once you get connected with a knowledgeable source of support. Depression doesn’t alter your worth or how deserving you are of compassionate care and a better life.
2. Don't judge yourself as weak for reaching out for help:
Some people feel most comfortable talking to close friends or family when they are going through a depressive episode. But some people actually feel more comfortable talking to someone less familiar, such as a general practitioner or a stranger on the other end of a helpline. No way is right or wrong as long as you’re taking the step to ask for help.
3. It is Okay to admit That You’re Not Okay - it may be a sign of courage:
Maybe you’re not ready to get into the details or describe exactly what you’re feeling or point to why you’re feeling so low. You don’t have to. It is important, though, to at least admit that you’re not okay, that you’re not feeling well. Even just saying something simple like that out loud goes a long way to reversing some of the isolation that actually serves to keep you stuck.
4. Have Someone help you with Practical Steps:
Does it feel like too big of a step even to pick up the phone and call for treatment help? That’s okay. Break it down and ask someone to help you with this step. Give them your calendar, or just ask them to request the next available appointment. You can even ask them to go with you to the appointment. You don’t know how you’ll feel on that day, and making the plans with someone else will help ensure that you make it there and you feel supported.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of a Diagnosis:
Sometimes people fear the depression diagnosis itself. They would rather avoid making it official, avoid the stigma and the heavy weight on their identity. But with or without the diagnosis, depression weighs heavily on you. With the diagnosis, you have ready options to start on the recovery path. Without the clinical attention that leads to a diagnosis, effective treatment may remain out of reach, and your depression is likely to get worse.
You are courageous to be here and reading about all this. We are proud of you.