Have you ever struggled to open up about your mental health needs? It can be challenging to talk about, especially if it’s not something you are used to doing. There are many benefits to understanding your needs and how they change over time.
Acknowledge the obstacles
Everyone encounters their own set of obstacles when talking about their mental health needs. The good news is that we are here to help you understand where you can begin!
Assess your needs
You can start by taking inventory of what you feel your most important needs are. Some examples of these needs that can impact your mental health are, the need for safety and security, the need for food and water, and the need to feel healthy and have a sense of connection to others.
Take action
Once you have identified your needs, you can think of decisions, actions, thoughts that are in your control to address these needs, whatever they may be. This part of the process will look different for everyone. Some may realize they can address their own needs by making some minor changes in their lives. Others may realize it is time to talk about those needs with a trusted friend, family member, or professional.
Ask for help
Sharing your needs can sometimes be difficult, anxiety provoking and it isn’t always easy to know where to start. The goal here is to first understand yourself and your needs. After you have done this, you can share those needs with a trusted individual by following this format (I have ______ need because________, and you can help by __________. If you find that you would like to speak with a professional, we are here to listen, support, and encourage you. We can help you identify your mental health needs; help you build the skills to communicate those needs and most importantly empower you to address them in a safe and confidential manner. Please consider giving us a call when you are ready!
Learn more about the author, Sonia De La Torre, MSW, LSW here.