The reality that we are experiencing at the global, national and personal impact it continues to present many challenges that require all of our physical and emotional energy.
More than two years after a pandemic, countries at war, inflation that affects our finances and massacres motivated by hate, it is very likely that our emotional life will be affected in some way.
That is why it is important to be alert of the signals that our body and our emotional system send us to attend to them as soon as possible. In recognition of this month of may mental health monthI want to highlight the importance of seeking professional help and avoiding suffering that, with professional help, can be healed.
overcoming stereotypes
seek professional help It is a process that could be very challenging for some people, especially since there are many myths about emotional health treatments. A common comment I’ve heard in the Latino community is “I’m not crazy” to seek treatment.
seek emotional help NO It means that we are crazy. Our mind and our emotions are a very important part of our lives, just like our physical health.
In the same way that when we feel sick we visit a doctor, when we are affected by some emotional problem we need to visit an emotional health professional.
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And therapeutic space provides the opportunity to heal wounds in a space that is private and confidential and accompanied by a professional person who is trained to help you.
What to do if I have a need for emotional help?
The faster help is sought, the better. A early help can speed up the recovery process and avoid other emotional complications that arise from lack of treatment. Help is available in Spanish and at reduced costs in our community.
The first step is accepting the need for help. Sometimes, we can ask a family member or friend to help us and accompany us in the process. The following recommendations can help you begin the process of seeking help.
- Don’t assume that what you are experiencing will go away if you ignore it.– ignoring symptoms will not make them go away. On the contrary, they can worsen and add more suffering than necessary.
- Look for information and/or available resources that can be of support– There is information available on the Internet from the National Institute of Mental Health that can be very helpful for the person who suffers from an emotional situation as well as for family members. (www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/espanol/index.shtml)
- Avoid judging or blaming yourself for what you are feeling– Emotional processes can be very complex and adding guilt adds more pain, which is unnecessary. Use the energy to seek help.
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Although these recommendations can be helpful, there are people who have greater difficulty seeking professional help. If you know someone in need, you can offer your help to find information, accompany them to go to an appointment or motivate them to see their primary care doctor. This could be a first step in the help-seeking process.
Remember that the faster you attend to your emotions, the faster you will learn to manage them! For more information you can call 984-974-3795.
Mae Lynn Reyes-Rodríguez, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist and researcher
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of Psychiatry