Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and it naturally affects various aspects of our day to day lives. This includes having an impact on how we feel, think, and even how we act. Our mental health directly affects how well we can cope with stress and unexpected events, how we relate to other people in our lives, and how we make choices.

Millions of adults and children experience mental health disorders every year, yet only a small percentage of these sufferers actually seek treatment. Unfortunately, despite plenty of effort being made to raise awareness of the normality of mental health conditions, there is still a degree of stigma surrounding them.  

Counseling is actually one of the best ways to address the main causes of many mental health disorders. This is because mental health counselors focus on helping people who are experiencing mental or emotional issues and supporting them in getting their life back on track.
 

Types of mental health problem

There are many different types of mental health problems. People may experience just one or a combination of these issues, particularly as many are co-morbidities. This means that they often occur alongside one another. Some of the most common types of mental health problems include:

• Anger issues

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Bipolar disorder

• Body dysmorphic disorder

• Depression

• Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Phobias

• Postnatal depression

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Self-harming

• Stress

• Substance abuse
   

How mental health counseling can help

Many mental health issues stem from the way that we relate to the world and the people around us. Sometimes it can seem like isolating ourselves is the best way to remove the problems that we face, and it can be tempting to try and deal with their effects alone. However, for the vast majority of people, having someone to talk to and who is there specifically to listen to you talk about your feeling is invaluable. Often it isn’t until we have this unbiased human interaction that we realize just how much we needed it. Here are some of the key ways in which mental health counseling can help you.
 

An unbiased and impartial listener

One of the biggest benefits of mental health counseling is that you are talking to a stranger. Initially, many people are worried about divulging private information to a counselor and find it strange. However, talking to family and friends can actually be a barrier to openly and honestly discussing your issues. When you talk to a counselor, not only are they required and committed to confidentiality, but they are also completely unbiased and will listen to you without judgment. Their role is to listen, to help you understand your behaviors and actions as well as those of others, and to help you find a way forward.
 

See another viewpoint

When you suffer from a mental health condition, you can become so focused on your own point of view that it can be difficult to see the situation from another perspective. Counselors are trained and experienced in helping you to examine your problems from a distance – the same way that others might see them. For many people, such as those suffering from anxiety, they quickly discover that what seemed like an insurmountable problem to them is actually a very small issue, if anything at all.

Share the burden

Life can sometimes be difficult to cope with, especially if you are isolated or feel the need to try and shoulder the burden alone. It’s not surprising that this often leads to people bottling up their emotions – something which can have very real effects on your mood and behavior. Your counselor is someone that you can open up to, confide in and share the weight of your problems and emotions with. It may be that you don’t necessarily even need someone to advise you, but simply someone to really listen while you offload.  
 

Let go of negative energy

When you share the burden of your mental health issues, you can also let go of the negative energy that you are carrying. Not only does this help unload the psychological effects that you are experiencing, but you may also experience a very real physical effect. Eliminating negative energy could help your body to feel more relaxed, you may be able to sleep more easily, and you may even have more energy than usual, enabling you to be more active and productive.

If you would like to find out more about mental health counseling and how it could benefit you or to schedule an appointment, please contact our discreet and friendly team today.