Knowing when and how to seek help is an essential skill. All problems, concerns, or worries are valid. Though we are hardwired to want to do things on our own, it’s always best to reach out and talk to someone. Learning about options and strategies for support allows us to be ready to ask for what we need from the people who are most helpful when we need it.
In today’s Wellness Wednesday post, we explore pathways to seeking help.
Try this:
As a class, group or family:
- Have a conversation. The best thing we can do is to normalize talking about our feelings, mental health, and asking for help.
- Explore the following resources to keep the conversation going and to start identifying your own pathways to seeking help.
- The orange "seeking help" conversation starters by SMHO (https://smho-smso.ca/blog/online-resources/class-conversation-starters/) provide some starting points for talking about mental health and asking for support. These resources were developed for classroom use, but the content is important for families to discuss also.
- It can sometimes feel difficult or overwhelming to open up about how you’re feeling. You may feel like you need help but don’t know what to do. CAMH’s “Talk About It” Gamechanger resource has a pathway to seek support for yourself (camh.ca/-/media/files/gc-talk-about-it-infographic-pdf.pdf).
- SMHO’s printable “Circle of Support Pocket Book” is a great starting point identify the people, places, and things that can support you when you need it (https://smho-smso.ca/blog/online-resources/my-circle-of-support-pocketbook-student-help-seeking-resource/).
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
How did your thoughts or feelings about seeking help change after doing these activities?
Connecting to our faith:
Turning to God in times of stress can help us manage difficult situations in our lives. Jesus teaches us that all things can be made easier when we ask God for help.
“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Further learning:
- Resource: Support Help-Seeking in Young People https://smho-smso.ca/blog/online-resources/no-problem-too-big-or-too-small-student-help-seeking-resource/
- Article: Breaking Down Barriers: How To Talk About Mental Health sunlife.ca/en/tools-and-resources/health-and-wellness/mental-wellness/breaking-down-barriers-how-to-talk-about-mental-health/
- Children’s Book: “Giraffe Asks For Help” by Nyasha M. Chikowore and Janet McDonnell
- Children’s Book: “What Do You Do With A Problem” by Kobi Yamada
Employees of LDCSB check out WorkLifeHealth from EAP Provider Morneau Sheppell.
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