Woman wondering how to ask for help with depression

How to Ask for Help With Depression

If you suffered a physical injury, you probably wouldn’t have much difficulty deciding who to contact to get proper treatment. But what would happen if you were struggling with a mental health concern? For example, would you know how to ask for help with depression?

Why is it Difficult to Ask for Help When it Comes to Mental Health?

Decades of awareness campaigns and outreach efforts have thankfully improved the perception of mental health disorders, treatment, and recovery among the general public. But when you’re the person who is directly impacted, it can still be difficult to ask for help. This may be due to reasons such as:

  • Personal pride
  • Fear of being judged negatively by others
  • Worry that you are letting down those who depend on you
  • Unwillingness to admit that you are struggling
  • Lack of knowledge about treatment options

Though these reasons may be understandable, none of them are worth continuing to suffer from a treatable condition. When you make the decision to ask for help, your life can get much better.

Benefits of Asking for Help

Asking for help may not be easy, but it can be extremely beneficial. Here are a few of the many reasons why reaching out can be such a wise decision:

  • Ending your isolation: Depression can cause you to withdraw from friends and family members. This isolation can, in turn, magnify your symptoms. The simple act of reaching out for help allows you to escape the clutches of isolation and begin to overcome the negative impact that this experience has had on your mental health.
  • Experiencing immediate relief: One conversation isn’t likely to end your depression. But expressing your struggles, fears, and concerns can bring a sense of hope and relief to your life. Sometimes, when you talk about the difficulties you have been having, you can realize they’re not as bad as you originally thought. Other times, it can help you see potential solutions to your current problems.
  • Developing an effective support network: Interpersonal support can be essential for continued positive mental health. Developing a personal support network can help you prevent small challenges from becoming large concerns. It can also provide you with easily identifiable sources of assistance when you are in crisis.
  • Determining the scope of your problem: When you are talking to a close friend or trusted family member, they may be able to provide you with a different perspective on the problem you’ve been having. When you consult with a professional, they can assess your needs and put your concerns into proper context. Each of these can be valuable means of understanding the full scope of the problem you’re dealing with.
  • Making long-term improvements: When you get the help you need, you can make the changes that will empower you to achieve improved mental health and a more hopeful outlook on life. Depression is treatable– but you can’t start walking the path toward a brighter tomorrow unless you ask for the help you need today.

Man experiencing benefits after learning how to ask for help with depression

How to Ask for Help With Depression

Here are three simple options for how to ask for help with depression:

  • Reach out to a friend: As we mentioned in the previous section, isolation can exacerbate symptoms of depression and other mental health concerns, while stating your concerns out loud can be a source of considerable relief. Having coffee with a friend, talking on the phone, or even exchanging text messages can help you avoid isolation, assess the severity of your problems, and begin to strategize ways to deal with the challenges you are facing.
  • Consult with a professional: A family doctor or other primary care provider can be an ideal source of professional advice. If they are not capable of diagnosing or treating your problem, they should be able to refer you to someone who can. If you don’t see a healthcare provider on a regular basis, many reputable mental health treatment centers offer free assessments, which can help you understand the scope of your needs.
  • Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Since July 15, 2022, anyone in the United States can communicate with a clinician in their state by calling 988, sending a text message to this number, or accessing the chat feature at https://988lifeline.org/. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls, texts, and chat messages are routed to the closest crisis center, so you can be connected with appropriate resources near you. 

When to Seek Treatment for Depression

The best time to seek treatment for depression is the moment you realize that your symptoms are undermining your ability to live a full, productive, and satisfying life. 

You do not have to wait until something terrible has happened. Once you realize that you are struggling as a result of pervasive sadness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and/or other symptoms of depression, it’s time to reach out for help.

Treatment for depression can take many forms, including:

At each of these levels, your care may include a variety of therapies and services, such as:

Contact Our Center for Depression in California

Montare Behavioral Health offers customized care for depression at multiple locations in California. At the depression treatment facilities in our network, teams of skilled professionals provide the individualized services that help patients regain control of their thoughts and behaviors. 

When you get the focused care you need, you can begin to live the healthier and more hopeful life that you deserve. To learn more about our programming or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.