For many, taking the first step to getting some mental health support is one of the most challenging experiences they face in their journey. Whether this is due to self-inflicted stigma or fear of judgement from others it can be terrifying to try and get the help you need. My personal experience is one I’m sure many people can relate to. It took me over 5 years to take the first steps to getting myself some help for my anxiety and I know many may take much longer. My hesitance to reach out for support stemmed from a lot of self-stigmatisation. I believed I didn’t deserve help, convincing myself that there were so many people with struggles worse than mine. However, I’ve come to accept that my struggles are as valid as anyone else’s, which is something I hope everyone can come to realise.
“It can be terrifying to try and get the help you need.”
A major difficulty I faced was fear of reaching out to a GP due to hearing stories on social media of how they can trivialise mental illness, being dismissive, rushed or “pill-pushing”. It would be such a huge step for me to take and the fear of being shut down put me off taking that step for half a decade. However, I needn’t have worried. My experience with the GP couldn’t have been more positive. He went above and beyond to put me at ease, treating me like a person and not just another patient he has to get through before lunchtime! He took the time to simply listen to my story and then recommended several
services available to me. After giving me several options, I was put in contact with a mental health service here in York who I am currently working with now to deal with my anxiety.
“A major difficulty I faced was the fear of
reaching out to a GP.”
Contacting your doctor can feel like quite a drastic step, especially to those like me who hadn’t really opened up to anyone prior, but don’t forget there are a multitude of services at your fingertips. Whether it is contacting a local charity, ringing an anonymous hotline, or even starting small and opening up to your family or friends, talking to anyone at all can feel like a weight lifting off your shoulders. There are also steps you can take to make the process more comfortable for you. For example, I opted for a telephone appointment with my doctor, because I personally worried about getting upset in front of someone. Alternatively, if you opt for an in-person appointment, most practices allow you to take someone with you to provide additional comfort, and certain practices provide ‘buddy services’ for if you don’t want to bring someone you know.
“Don’t forget there are a multitude of options at your
fingertips…talking to anyone at all can feel like a
weight lifting off your shoulders.”
I can empathise with how hard taking this first step may be for some individuals, and this is the reason I decided to write this blog. Even if it gives only one person the confidence to take that first step in getting the help they need, I wanted to put the message out there that there are so many people out there to help you, so don’t suffer alone!
Anxiety resources for England
• Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk
• Mind www.mind.org.uk
• NHS https:/www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/anxiety/
York Ending Stigma
To find out more about our work and to join us to end mental health stigma in York, please refer to our website https://yorkcvs.org.uk/york-ending-stigma/ or email us on yes@yorkCVS.org.uk