5 Reasons To Consult A Mental Health Counsellor
Talks regarding mental health disorders have started gaining momentum amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which is taking a huge toll on both our and physical and mental health. But when you should consult a mental health counsellor?
India has among the highest prevalence of mental illnesses globally. Our National Mental Health Survey 2016 found that close to 14% of India's population required active mental health interventions. About 2% suffered from severe mental disorders. Nearly 200,000 Indians take their lives each year. If one includes attempted suicides, the number goes up substantially to every 1 in 10 individuals having suicidal thought tendency. These are worrying statistics which force us all to take the issues revolving mental health with increased seriousness before it transforms into a widespread epidemic.
In light of recent events, talks regarding mental health disorders have started gaining momentum by the day, this not only helps strengthen the community but also plays a significant role in more and more people coming forward and addressing their mental health, giving it the much desired attention it needs.
The term 'mental health professional' encompasses a wide array of individuals who each specializes in their own niche. As a counsellor, we are primarily concerned with psychotherapy or talk therapy as a way to help the various people from different spheres of life who need help each figuring their own needs, undealt emotions and battling their past traumas amidst various other curve balls life throws at them.
When you should consult a mental health counsellor?
Below are some signs that indicate you should consult a mental health counsellor:
Inability to control, deal with and express emotions everyone has days when they feel disconnected but when this lingers on and starts affecting your daily chores it can be a sign of a Mood Disorder.
Difficulty coping with trauma Loosing a loved one or experiencing abuse in any form often leaves a lasting impact on one's mental health. This often causes disturbances in an individual's way of carrying out daily activities and may transform into permanent personalities changes if not addressed.
Substance Addiction Often people battling a mental illness turn to substances like drugs to escape realities of life and prevent addressing their mental health which over the time can spiral them down exponentially and turn into a disorder.
Changes in Performance Consistently failing to meet deadlines or just not getting your average grade in school often has more to do rather than just been a bad phase. It's often an indication of an underlying disorder and it's important to get it checked, diagnosed and corrected well in time before it engulfs your life and alters all spheres pertaining to your everyday interactions and activities.
Excessive Negative Thoughts being trapped in the darkness looming in one's own mind filled with negative self-talk can often lead to a feeling of diminished self-worth and self-esteem. Over a period of time, studies have shown such people to develop isolation tendencies and even having suicidal thoughts and thus this needs urgent attention.
Thus, based on my 8 years of clinical experience, I believe when we fall sick, we have two roads in front of us. The first is to try home remedies, regulate our sleep patterns, and take OTC medicines. When it doesn't work, we seek professional help and call up a doctor. Similarly, when there's something bothering your mind, making you feel uncomfortable, detached and anxious. We instantly try to whoosh away the thoughts, surf self-help media on the internet, try remedies listed on google etc. These are all great things but it's important to realize that the first step always is to consider and approach for a reliable source of support and help for your mind and that's a counsellor.
The article is contributed by Arouba Kabir, Mental Health Counselor, A wellness Coach, and Founder, Enso Wellness.