How to Get Help When You Are Struggling With Difficult Feelings - VLJP

Mental Health

Mar 19

Written By Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council

This video was created by The Vermont Language Justice Project: https://www.vtlanguagejustice.org/.

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Transcript:

How to get help when you’re struggling with difficult feelings.

When we think about our health, it's important to think about both our body's health and our mental health. Mental health includes things like how we are feeling emotionally and how we are coping with difficult situations and experiences. Mental health is something we all have – all humans have mental health. Our mental health can change over time and as we age.

Our mental health and our physical health are connected and both are equally important to our wellbeing. Our mental health affects how we deal with stress, connect with others, and make choices. It is important at every stage of life and it needs regular care and attention, just like our physical health needs care and attention. It can be helpful to share with someone we trust how we are feeling and what we are thinking about.

Sometimes when we are really struggling with difficult emotions, we may think that we don't want to live anymore.Suicide (or someone killing themself) does not happen for one single reason. There are many reasons why someone might die by suicide. Suicide is mostly preventable and help is available.

We all have strengths in ourselves, our families, and our communities that can help support us and give us hope. After meeting our basic needs – like having a place to live and food to eat – the next most important thing is being connected to other people. Knowing that we are valued and cared for by those around us can help. It can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in our life.

Please think about and find trusted people in your life and reach out to them for support. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. This could be a family member, friend, faith leader, case manager, or a counselor. It is absolutely okay to ask someone for help. It is also okay to ask someone else if they need help. By listening and showing someone you care, you can ask questions about whether they are thinking about suicide, and you can help them get help.

988 is a phone number you can call if you or someone you care about is struggling with feelings of sadness, stress, fear, or wanting to die. It is free and available anytime, and you can ask for an interpreter if you need one. The person who answers your call is there to listen and to support you, and they can connect you with a local office to get more help. Wherever you live in Vermont, there is a mental health office nearby where you can get help. Remember that you matter and help is available.

You are not alone in this journey. Just like everyone else, you deserve happiness. With help and support, you can look at everything you have gone through, notice how far you have come, and remind yourself of your strengths and your connections to those you love and those who love you. There is hope. There is always hope, even when it feels like there is none.