The Importance of Getting Help
Early help is important
Health experts agree that the earlier concerns are known, the earlier help can begin – and early help means a more complete recovery. This is true not only of illnesses like diabetes and asthma, but also for mental health concerns.
Early help can prevent symptoms from becoming as severe and causes less disruption in all aspects of life – at home, school or work and in the community.
If you think your child or teen needs some help, take the time to pause, connect and re-set.
- Pause long enough to explore the concerns you have, and get good information to guide your next steps.
- Connect with information, resources and get help from a professional if you need it.
- Re-set life with support and self-care, using hacks for resolving issues and resources you can re-visit over time as your concerns and needs change.
What makes a situation a crisis?
A crisis happens when someone feels desperate, hopeless or alone, with no one to turn to.
A crisis is present if someone has made a plan to hurt themselves or someone else, if they have a way to hurt themselves or someone else or if they have previously tried to hurt themselves or complete suicide.
If these statements are true about your child or teen, you need to access help right now. Go to “Need Help Now?” for more information.
What kind of help is available?
There are many ways of helping someone who has a mental health concern.
Self-help
This website provides information as well as hacks and tips for addressing some issues yourself. Good information can provide reassurance and steer you in the right direction. Stress Hacks also has some self-checks that kids and teens can take to learn more about their own situation and what some next steps can be.
Treatment and Other Supports
This site also has information about medication and counselling options and when these options may be recommended. Counselling can help in many ways – it can provide support, help people find their strengths and cope with stress, and teach them how to use helpful activities such as exercise, meditation and relaxation.
What if help Is hard to find?
If you don’t find the help you need in the first place you look, ask someone you trust for help in finding the right place. Many people working at schools, clinics, agencies and programs know the available mental health resources well, and they can help you find the help you need.
Hacks to connect with help
- Make sure you tell them the “story” of what is going on and give as many details as you can.
- If you feel the person you’re talking to is having a hard time understanding, ask for another person to talk to.
- Talk to someone who has been helpful to you before, and tell them you are having trouble finding the help you need for your child or teen. It’s not unusual for people to try several helpers before they find the best fit.
- Write your concerns down, and share them with the person you’re approaching for help.
- If you have an appointment, take a list of your concerns and questions with you. It is easy to forget all the questions you might have.