ASKING FOR HELP

Today is day 68 of this 75 Hard for Mental Health. I'm on the home stretch. Candidly, I've been out of sorts since our vacation, and things got really bad over the last week or so. Those familiar demons that have been in the periphery for the majority of the last couple of years fought their way back to the front and center. As much as it sucks, it always forces me to strip things down to the fundamentals and what really matters.

I took a class last week and got certified in Mental Health First Aid. I was excited about it because it's centered around identifying signs and symptoms and equipping you with how to start a conversation with someone you suspect might be experiencing a mental health challenge. As someone with PLENTY of experience with mental health challenges, it's incredibly hard to seek help on your own. If people aren't going to ask for help, then it's good to be teaching people how to offer it.

If I had a dollar for every time I've either said the words or heard the words "call me anytime" or "call me if you need me - no seriously - call me if you need me" I'd have some dough. How many times has that resulted in a conversation? I honestly don't know if I can recall a single one.

Yesterday, I had one of the biggest mental illness episodes I've had in a really long time. After I calmed down, I decided I was going to try to flip the script. I was going to actually hit up some people that I've never taken up on that offer. And I did.

I think if more of us reach out for help... then more of us will reach out for help. It won't be such a taboo subject. Imagine if you've had half a dozen people close to you in your life reach out when they are struggling. It would be a lot easier to reach out to them or to someone else.

Everyone reading this falls into one of two categories. You either are or are not experience a mental health challenge.

For those that are struggling, ask for help. I say that knowing exactly how hard that is to do. Not sure who to ask? Me. I've gotten so much help in my life, there's nothing I'd rather do than pay that forward.

For those that are not, you should ask for help, too. If we can break the stigma in our circles, we can start to lean on each other. It might save a buddy's life.

Cheers, love you all.

Do you have any questions on this article? Do you have any topics you'd like to see covered in the future? Email me at jack@leaveitcinders.com and let me know!

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