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How to Know When to Get Help for a Mental Health Condition


Don't Ignore Subtle Signs 

you don't have to struggle

How do you know if you or a loved one are just having a bad week or if it might be something more? In the U.S., 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth experience a mental health condition each year. What's important to keep in mind is mental illness presents very differently in each person. Depression may look like not getting out of bed or showering for one person while it's hidden behind a smile in another. Anxiety can range from panic attacks to appearing ultra-organized. Mental health conditions look and feel different for everyone, which can make it difficult to decide when to get help from a mental health professional. 


Don't wait until you're "bad enough" to get help. 

If you aren't feeling yourself and it is concerning you or your loved ones, it's time to reach out to a professional. It can be confusing if you are a high-functioning person who goes to work every day, fulfills commitments and is professionally successful, but silently struggles. It can be easy to brush off symptoms as not "bad enough," but the truth is, it's much easier to treat mental health conditions in the early stages and not waiting for a crisis. Ignoring symptoms will not make them go away.


Pay Close Attention

If you're not feeling well, it's easy for the days to blend together and not realize just how long symptoms are present or how your daily routine is changing. Small changes can still be warning signs if they become permanent. The easiest way to keep track is to keep a journal. If you notice symptoms or changes in mood/behavior lasting two weeks or longer, consider discussing it with your doctor. Here are some things to pay close attention to: 


  • Self-Care: Maybe you still shower, but are you putting in the same effort you always have when it comes to grooming and dressing? Have you stopped caring about your appearance? Are you skipping parts of your daily self-care routine? 


  • Sleep: Are you sleeping too much? Are you falling asleep during the day or during activities? Is it hard to fall asleep and/or stay asleep? Are you experiencing insomnia? Make note in your journal about how long you are sleeping each night and if you're napping during the day. 


  • Procrastination: There are things we all dread doing, but are you putting off as many things as you can as often as you can? Is the laundry piling up or the dishes? Are you meeting your work or school deadlines? Are you late for appointments and meetings? Are normal everyday things harder to do and more overwhelming?


  • Concentration: Are you having trouble following conversations? What about watching TV or reading a book -- does your mind wander to the point you don't know what you just saw/read? What about your memory? Are you forgetting things all the time?


  • Social Life: Are you turning down invitations, ignoring phone calls/texts and staying home as much as possible? Taking some down time is healthy, but if withdrawing from others becomes the norm for you, it's a problem. 


  • Fatigue: Are you always tired no matter how much you sleep? Does your body feel physically exhausted? Your limbs may even feel heavy. 


  • Feelings: Take note if you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, negative, panic, depressed, agitated, angry, etc. Also make note if you feel emotionally numb or just "off," but aren't sure exactly how to describe it. 


Treatment

Once you decide you want help, it can be hard to know where to go. Mental Health America has created this guide to help you. You can also use The Hub's resource guides and support group guide to find local providers. Be sure to visit our Mental Health Month web page for more resources.

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Find Treatment & Support Near You

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Check our calendar for more support groups


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Events at a Glance

EVENT IS TONIGHT!

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presentation (In person)

May 19th, 6 - 7 PM

Norwalk Main Library

Register online

Legal Rights and Strategies: Requesting a Disability Accommodation

May 20th, 3 - 4 PM

Learn more and register.

NorWALK for Mental Health Walk & Wellness Fair

May 21st, 9 - 11:30 AM in The Norwalk Green

Learn more.

Walk, Talk & Yoga

May 21st, 9 - 11:30 AM

Learn more.

Evidence-Based Strategies in Prevention

May 23rd, 1 - 2:30 PM

Learn more and register.

Clear the Vapor Virtual Conference

May 24 & 25, 10 AM - 4 PM

Learn more and register.

Understanding Suicide in the Elderly in America

May 24th, 12 - 2 PM

Learn more and register.

The Power of a Positive Workplace

May 24th at 5 PM

Learn more.

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QPR & Naloxone Training

May 24th, 6 - 8 PM

Learn more and register.

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presentation (In person)

May 24th, 6 - 7 PM

Norwalk Library Sono Branch

Register online

Suicide Risk Assessment Tool Training

May 26th, 9 - 10:30 AM

Learn more and register. 

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Other Events

Don't forget to check our May calendar of events on our home page to find out what's happening in our region. Check back often since more events get added as we hear about them.

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Wellness Tools & Helpful Articles

Smiling Depression: What It Is, Symptoms, & Treatments

Depression doesn't look the same in everyone. You can smile and appear content and still have depression. While you might think that you'd notice signs of depression in someone, that's not always the case. If you experience smiling depression, you may appear perfectly happy from the outside but have symptoms of depression behind closed doors.

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What Is High-Functioning Depression?

You get up every day and go through the motions. Some days are easier than others, but through it all, you have a sense of heaviness in your heart that's invisible to the world. "You don't look depressed!" you hear from those around you, unsure of what this means.

Read More
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The DBSA Wellness Tracker consists of one main Mood Tracker and seven supporting symptom, behavior, and lifestyle trackers designed to work together to give you an overall picture of your wellness. You can use all the trackers together or choose only those that you need at any given time. Download now.


Mood tracker apps

Mood tracker apps help a person monitor their mood over time and learn how external factors, such as their diet or lifestyle, affect how they feel. Some are free, while others are upgradable or require a subscription. Mood tracking could make it easier for a person to monitor their progress in therapy or the effects of taking medication.

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Resources for Children

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Gizmo 4 Mental Health

Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health Guide takes an upstream approach to support the mental health and wellness of youth.

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Coloring Book: Little Monster | NAMI Washington

"Meet Little Monster" is a brand new coloring book from NAMI Washington designed to facilitate the conversation about mental and emotional health with children and their parents and caretakers. ​ The coloring book is 100% Free! Please note, it is not for resale.

Read More

This past weekend, our country endured yet another tragedy that stemmed

from racism. The Child Mind Institute has these articles to help parents navigate 

these difficult conversations. 

Helping Children Cope With Frightening News - Child Mind Institute

When tragedy strikes, as parents you find yourself doubly challenged: to process your own feelings of grief and distress, and to help your children do the same. I wish I could tell you how to spare your children pain, when they've lost friends or family members, and fear, when disturbing events occur, especially when they're close to home.

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Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence - Child Mind Institute

Whether they see it on the news or in their own communities, kids across the United States are aware of the violent acts of racism that our country continues to confront. Many children of color have experienced such racism themselves, or seen it affect their loved ones.

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In the News

How seeing negative stereotypes of Asian Americans can affect mental health

The month of May is dedicated to both Asian American Pacific Islander heritage and mental health awareness. The youth mental health podcast "On Our Minds," which is part of Student Reporting Labs network, takes a look at the toll Asian American stereotypes take on teen mental health and well being.

Read More

New Research Suggests Stigma Around Depression Is Dropping

Welcome to State of Mind , a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter . On May 11 at 1 p.m. Eastern, State of Mind and the 19 News are hosting an event titled Prioritizing Mental Health. Register here .

Read More
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The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT

A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP) 


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