Are you willing to seek help?

Hi everyone!

I recently came across a video about this survey that shows a 15% increase in people willing to seek help for mental health conditions, and it really struck a chord with me. It’s amazing to see the stigma around mental health slowly decreasing, with more people feeling comfortable reaching out for support! :slight_smile: As someone who works in mental health, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative seeking help can be, but also how much courage it takes to take that first step.

It makes me wonder, with this growing openness to mental health care, how can we ensure that services remain accessible and tailored to the unique needs of each person?

Questions for us to think about

  • What do you think is still holding some people back from seeking mental health support, despite the growing willingness overall?
  • For those who have sought help, what made you decide to take that step, and what advice would you give to someone still hesitant?
  • How can mental health professionals or communities better support people who are on the fence about seeking help?
  • Do you think this increased willingness to seek help is a lasting change, or is there more work to be done to continue reducing stigma?
  • What role do you think social media, celebrities, or media coverage have played in normalizing mental health conversations?

Feel free to answer any or all of the questions and share your thoughts with us!

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Dear friends,

As mental health professionals, we know how transformative this process of seeking help can be, but the first step is often the hardest. While progress has been made in breaking the stigma, there are still barriers that hold some people back.

Here are three common myths about seeking help that might still prevent someone from reaching out:

Myth 1: “Seeking help is a sign of weakness.” Truth: Asking for help shows strength and self-awareness. It takes courage to acknowledge when you need support, and reaching out is a powerful step toward growth and healing.

Myth 2: “Help is only for people with severe issues.” Truth: Help and support can benefit everyone, not just those in crisis. Whether you’re facing a significant challenge or just looking for guidance on everyday stress, seeking help can provide strategies and tools to improve your mental health and well-being.

Myth 3: “Once you start therapy, you’re in it forever.” Truth: Seeking help is a personal journey. The duration depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people benefit from short-term support, while others may continue therapy as part of their ongoing self-care.

Let’s reflect:

  • What’s still holding some people back?
  • How can we as a community continue to debunk these myths and provide better support to those who are hesitant?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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(post deleted by author)

Other than the points mentioned(which are very valid, I see where you guys are coming from), there are also still generational gaps when it comes to recognizing the importance of mental health. For many in Gen X and the Boomer generation, there can be a tendency to view mental health as less of a priority or to associate seeking help with weakness. This can make the journey of seeking help more difficult for their kids (especially Gen Z and Alpha), as they have to “hide” when seeking therapy, and also use money from their own pocket, which is costly at this point of their life.

To bridge this gap, I think we need to meet people where they are and be patient with those who may not fully understand yet. Conversations around mental health need to be framed in ways that resonate with older generations. For instance, we could highlight how mental well-being is directly connected to physical health, relationships, and productivity—areas that are often valued across all generations.

Additionally, I think regular mental health check-ins should be normalised and more subsidised, so people stop viewing therapy as “A thing only for the mentally sick”.

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Hey everyone,

I agree with you on this. Schools usually have physical/dental health check ups yearly for all students. Companies may provide subsidies for their employees for their yearly physical/dental health checkups. I believe that schools and companies can normalise mental check ups to further support and encourage them to take care of their mental well-being.

Majority of the clinics only provide either physical or mental check-ups. I’m unsure if there are clinics offering 2-in-1 packages containing both physical and mental check ups for their customers. But, I believe that clinics should provide mental check ups as one of their services as well. But, there are many complications - the expenses to sustain, doctor qualifications, license to provide the service, etc.

From my understanding, primary and junior college teachers play a crucial role in supporting students’ mental well-being by fostering peer connections and providing support to those who needs it. However, younger students lack the awareness to identify that they need help and the lack of resources can further hinder their ability to seek support. Polytechnic and especially university students have busy schedules (additional weight should they work part-time) and would rather priortise their limited time on studies or leisure than to seek help. Plus, they may fear that seeking help could negativity effect their academic standing as they would have to declare any physical/mental conditions to their schools. In addition, poly/uni students are encouraged to be independent at this stage of life, which in turn pressure them to manage their problems independently. Thus, further deterring them from seeking support.

Workers are more likely to neglect their mental well-being due to sigma, heavy workloads, and fear of negative repercussions on their job security.

It’s great that celebrities such as Yvonne Lim, Adele, Prince Harry have spoken about their mental health struggles. As respected public figures, their openness helps reduce stigma and encourages others to seek help. However, one downside is that people may oversimplify complex problems, making it normal for someone to experience/feel a certain a way (at some point in life). This may cause people to feel that their feelings are invalidated or brushed by others.

I feel that education for both adults and children are equally important for themselves as well as the future generations. Encouraging and adopting healthy coping habits can reduce stress and in serious cases, the probability of prodrome symptoms (early signs and symptoms that precede the onset of a disease or condition).

Many children tend to follow the habits and practices of their parents or guardians. This influence includes lifestyle, work ethic, personal beliefs, and coping strategies. As children grows, they shape their own habits and beliefs through observations and guidance from their parents or guardians. Educating young children about self-care can positively influence their future habits. When children express their newfound understanding of self-care, the responses from their parents or guardians can vary, leading to different outcomes.

Here are the possible outcomes:

  1. Positive Reinforcement: Parents are already practicing good self-care methods. Parents embrace the conversation, actively support and engage with their child’s interest in self-care. They may even adopt similar practices themselves.
  2. Curiosity and Engagement: Parents may not be practicing good self-care methods but are interested and open for discussion. In turn, leads to meaningful discussions about self-care practices benefiting both the child and the parent. It may lead to a change in perspective and a willingness to adopt healthier practices.
  3. Seeking External Support: Parents may realise they lack knowledge about self-care and decide to seek external resources (e.g., online), to improve their understanding and practices.
  4. Resistance or Dismissal: Parents may or may not be practicing good self-care methods and are resistant to change. Parents may dismiss the child’s ideas, believing that their own approaches are sufficient, which could lead the child to feel unsupported and discouraged.
  5. Influence on Siblings: If there are siblings, the child’s discussions about self-care might influence their siblings. Both may adopt healthier self-care practices. Unlikely to create competition or discord.
  6. Conflict: The child and parents may have differing views on self-care, leading to disagreements and tension within the family as they navigate their beliefs and practices.
  7. Overwhelming Pressure on Parents: The child’s interest in self-care might inadvertently place pressure on the parents to change their habits quickly, leading to frustration or resistance.

Generally:

  • Good outcome: When children express their needs or concerns and receive encouragement and support from their parents, it fosters a positive environment for self-care. This supportive response helps children develop healthy habits and a strong sense of self-worth, reinforcing the idea that their needs are important. As they grow up, they are more likely to prioritise their mental and emotional well-being. When these children become parents themselves, they are likely to model the same supportive behaviors, breaking the cycle and promoting a healthier approach to self-care in future generations. This creates a nurturing family dynamic that values open communication and emotional resilience.
  • Bad outcome: When children express their needs or concerns and are discouraged or dismissed by their parents, it can lead to a lack of self-care habits as they grow up. This pattern can create a cycle where children internalise the belief that their mental needs are not important, leading them to neglect their mental and emotional well-being. As they become parents themselves, they may unconsciously repeat these behaviors, perpetuating the cycle.

Breaking this cycle often requires awareness and intentional change, both on the part of the parents and the children. It is easier to change their mindset and habits in their early childhood and adulthood. It is equality important for parents to lead by example. Educators (e.g., lecturers and teachers) play an important part to create supportive environments that encourage open and safe discussions as well as providing resources for students to develop their own coping strategies.

I believe that mental conditions are normal response to abnormal levels of stress. We should judge people less, and be more compassionate and accepting of others. Showing genuine care and treating people with sincerity will foster a more supportive environment and bring more happiness in our daily lives.