As more kids struggle with suicidal thoughts, parents need to talk to them at younger ages. Here's a guide for how to start these conversations.
Mental Health Help
Mental health issues touch all of us. Yet many of us feel ashamed to talk about emotional challenges. Due to stigma, we feel that needing support means we’re weak or abnormal. So we don’t get the mental health help we need.
And yet, emotional distress happens, often beyond our control. People around the world face:
- Postpartum depression
- Loneliness while aging
- Isolation and low self-esteem as a teen
- Body image issues
- Emotional rollercoasters during menopause
- Anxiety and depression due to a life-threatening health diagnosis
- Discrimination due to racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ identities
- Mental illness and psychological disorders
And of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on everyone. The grief and isolation it has left in its wake has worsened symptoms for many. Teens especially continue to struggle.
Finding Mental Health Help
When you break your leg or get a rash, you see a specialist. Likewise, a responsible person gets mental healthcare for serious depression and anxiety.
You deserve to care for your mental health as much as you do for your physical health.
Getting Started
Serious disorders require professional care. And effective treatments do exist. They may not be as simple or as straightforward as a pill or a shot. But they can help you manage and live your best.
See UVA Health specialty services in behavioral health.
If you’re in crisis, like thinking about suicide, call the free, anonymous hotline: 800-273-8255
Not sure where to start? The articles here can help you learn:
- The signs and symptoms of mental health problems
- How to care and support others
- Tools for maintaining daily wellness
- Self-care tips for managing conditions
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