Thinking Outside the Box: Why Early Mental Health Support Matters

Let’s face it—life can be unpredictable, and sometimes it throws us off balance. Just like regular tune-ups keep your car running smoothly, early mental health support can keep your well-being in check.

Seeking support early isn’t about overreacting to every wobble. It’s about catching small concerns before they grow into bigger challenges. After all, isn’t it better to fix a minor issue before it becomes a major breakdown?

Benefits of seeking help early:

• You build strengths that feel almost like superpowers! Research shows that early intervention helps develop valuable coping skills (Keyes, 2007) – your very own mental health toolkit. Imagine having a secret arsenal of stress-busting techniques and a resilient mindset to tackle life's challenges with confidence.

• Addressing concerns early can help make life’s ups and downs more manageable (Slade, 2010). Untreated mental health concerns can feel like an endless rollercoaster ride – ups and downs, twists and turns. Early support can help you smooth out the ride and enjoy the journey more (Huppert, 2009).

• Stronger connections: Mental health challenges can sometimes strain relationships(Rüsch et al., 2005). Early support not only helps you but also strengthens your connections with loved ones, creating a supportive network around you.

Signs It Might Be Time to Check In

It's important to remember that everyone feels down sometimes. But if you're noticing some recurring patterns, like:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness (Patel et al., 2018).

• Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels (Rickwood et al., 2007).

• Withdrawal from social activities and interests (Corrigan et al., 2014).

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions (Summerfield, 2001).

• Increased irritability or restlessness.

• Unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach aches.

It might be time to reach out because your mental health matters.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of self-care and a commitment to your well-being (Jorm, 2012). Just like you'd prioritise physical health with regular check-ups, prioritising your mental health is an investment in your overall well-being and success. Want more personalised support?

References:

Corrigan, P. W., Druss, B. G., & Perlick, D. A. (2014). The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 15(2), 37-70.

Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well‐being: Evidence regarding its causes and consequences. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 1(2), 137-164.

Jorm, A. F. (2012). Mental health literacy: Empowering the community to take action for better mental health. American Psychologist, 67(3), 231-243.

Keyes, C. L. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95-108.

Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P., ... & UnÜtzer, J. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553-1598.

Rickwood, D. J., Deane, F. P., & Wilson, C. J. (2007). When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems? Medical Journal of Australia, 187(S7), S35-S39.

Rüsch, N., Angermeyer, M. C., & Corrigan, P. W. (2005). Mental illness stigma: Concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma. European Psychiatry, 20(8), 529-539

Slade, M. (2010). Mental illness and well-being: The central importance of positive psychology and recovery approaches. BMC Health Services Research, 10(1), 26.