CW: Suicidal ideation, Suicide It can be challenging to reach out for help, especially in times of distress. Some people find it easier to deal with issues alone, even when the situation becomes dangerous for their own safety. That’s why having a suicide safety plan on hand can help people in times of crisis. September […]
CW: Binge eating, self-harm, addiction. Most people deal with stress throughout their lives. Learning to cope with stress in healthy ways can make people more resilient and help combat chronic illness and mental health issues according to the CDC. However, not all coping mechanisms are healthy. Negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, compulsive spending, […]
It can be hard to know how to support your friends when they’re struggling. Even if you can relate to what they’re going through with a similar experience, it can still be a challenge to support them. If a friend is going through something relatably difficult, think about what you would’ve needed to hear at […]
CW: Alcoholism/Abuse A year ago, my life felt harder than it ever had before. Having a therapist at the time to talk it over with made it easier for me to recognize what I needed. I was taking on too many responsibilities while running on empty. I was always “mature for my age”, but I […]
I’ve always been told that finding the right therapist can feel like online dating. Recently, I found this to be true. For the past three months, I’ve been using Talkspace to find a therapist to help guide and support me through life’s hardships, whether they be from the past or the present. I’ll be honest, […]
Every other Thursday, five o’clock, I have plans. “I can’t hang out, my mom needs me to babysit tonight.” “I already promised I’d help around the house.” “Sorry, I’m grounded.” “I can’t tonight, I’ve got loads of homework.” Every other Thursday, I used to lie. It’s not that I was doing anything of concern, but […]
I’ve been going to trauma therapy regularly for the past year and a half, and even though there are times I would literally rather have a root canal that I didn’t need than go, I always end up leaving my therapist’s office feeling a little better about life. I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder […]
The first time I was in therapy, it took me almost six months to be able to talk to about the deep, personal, and raw trauma that I had never told a soul about. I struggled for a long time before that. When we started talking about things that were difficult for me, I always […]
The stigma surrounding counseling and seeing someone to talk about your struggles because “you’re unstable” or “crazy” is extremely prevalent in our society. However, talking to someone who is trained in helping people work through the struggles that come with life is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, counseling has helped me in some […]
It’s a myth that asking someone if they are suicidal will suddenly implant the idea. As a highly stigmatized topic, it’s not surprising that there is misinformation about discussing it with those who may be at risk. Without any specific training on how to talk about suicide, it’s easy to feel ill-equipped to bring it […]