Where to Turn for Mental Health Assistance

It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues interfere with your life, your job, or your personal relationships.

With all the mental health resources and effective treatments available these days, there's no reason to suffer and wonder what's wrong, says Mental Health America (MHA). Education and awareness have done much to erase the stigma once attached to mental illness. Still, many people don't seek help for mental health needs.

Mental conditions are real, and can be life-threatening, but they're also common and very treatable. How do you know you need help? As with many physical conditions, change is the key, MHA says. If you have a marked change in personality, mood, behavior, or your eating or sleeping habits, that's a sign something is going on.

Symptoms to look for

These are other warning signs:

• Feeling unable to cope with your day-to-day problems, work assignments, or usual household activities.

• Being overwhelmed by a deep sense of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness.

• Having extreme mood swings, from high or hyper to down in the dumps.

• Abusing alcohol or drugs.

• Getting very angry or acting violently.

• Having thoughts about suicide or hurting someone else.

• Thinking about a way you would commit suicide.

These are warning signs that you definitely need help. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's better to get treatment sooner than later.

Make the call

Get help immediately any time you believe you might hurt yourself or someone else. Don't wait. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or your local crisis center. Or, look in the government pages of your local phone book for the numbers of emergency mental health treatment facilities near you.

MHA offers information about mental health conditions and issues, as well as referrals to local resources.

Other resources:

• Your health care provider. Your doctor knows you and probably will notice any changes in your mood or personality. Your doctor can also rule out possible physical reasons for your symptoms.

• Employee assistance programs. If your company has an EAP, ask for a referral to an appropriate provider or treatment program in your community.

• Community mental health centers. These organizations provide counseling and other services on a sliding-fee scale, based on your income.

• Crisis centers. On-site mental health professionals provide immediate evaluation and treatment.

• Support and self-help groups.

• American Psychiatric Association . Psychiatrists can provide counseling and prescribe medication.

• American Psychological Association . Psychologists have doctorates and specialize in psychotherapy and human behavior.