Times are changing in the world of mental health care. While social media has helped normalize the talk about feelings of sadness, anxiety and anger, it has also created an increased demand for therapy. That demand is celebrated, but it comes with drawbacks, like finding enough therapists to fill the need. Elijah, 15, barely knows a world where mental health is stigmatized. At the end of the day, I needed help, Elijah said. However, Elijah and his mother are acutely aware that accessing help can sometimes be difficult. , until his children were able to get counseling through school. “He made a huge difference.” Clinical therapist Kim Story’s private practice is perpetually booked, with waiting lists lasting weeks. Many people who turn, however, are in imminent crisis. “That’s probably the hardest part, is knowing that I can’t always fill that need right away,” Story said. Where seeking mental health support was once taboo, therapy is now widely seen as a sign of self-love. History has said it is, in large part, thanks to social media advocacy. “We’re excited to see more people getting the help they need. Super excited that stigma isn’t as present as it once was,” said Story. However, this comes at a cost to families seeking assistance. “There are only so many doctors here in the community right now.” With therapy so in demand, parents may attribute difficult behaviors to growing pains instead of seeking help. “You just need to get to know your son and know what his normality is,” said Tremaine, who picked up on his 7-year-old Bryson’s anger, noting that he was withdrawn and didn’t enjoy playing basketball or drawing. he’s doing those things that, you know, a typical 7-year-old should be doing, it just makes me raise those red flags. “Despite the shortage of mental health professionals, Story encourages parents to be proactive when they see those red flags and continue targeting the right support.” I say keep contacting. Do not wait. If you’re not sure, call and ask anyway,” Story said, adding that there are online resources that can be helpful in the meantime until a therapist becomes available. Tremaine said he never misses an opportunity to speak candidly about the mental well-being. “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes, but being able to do it in a healthy way,” said Tremaine, who strives to lead by example and share her experiences with her children. “She has helped me and I helped her,” 7 -said year-old Bryson. Tremaine also goes to therapy at the same time as Elijah, her oldest. a good and positive way,” Elijah said.
Times are changing in the world of mental health care. While social media has helped normalize the talk about feelings of sadness, anxiety and anger, it has also created an increased demand for therapy. That demand is celebrated, but it comes with drawbacks, like finding enough therapists to fill the need.
Elijah, 15, barely knows a world where mental health is stigmatized.
At the end of the day, I needed help, Elijah said.
However, Elijah and his mother are keenly aware that accessing help can be difficult at times.
“My number one job is to advocate for my son,” said mom Amber Tremaine, who was running into two- or three-month waiting lists for psychiatrists until her children were able to to get counseling at school. “She made a huge difference.”
Clinical therapist Kim Story’s private practice is perpetually booked, with waiting lists lasting weeks. Many people who turn, however, are in imminent crisis.
“That’s probably the hardest part, is knowing that I can’t always fill that need right away,” Story said.
Where seeking mental health support was once taboo, therapy is now widely seen as a sign of self-love. History has said it is, in large part, thanks to social media advocacy.
“We’re excited to see more people getting the help they need. Super excited that stigma isn’t as present as it once was,” said Story. However, this comes at a cost to families seeking assistance. “There are only so many doctors here in the community right now.”
With therapy so required, parents could attribute challenging behavior to growing pains instead of seeking help.
“You just get to know your son and then know what his normality is,” said Tremaine, who caught his 7-year-old Bryson’s anger, noting that he was withdrawn and doesn’t enjoy playing basketball or drawing. “When I notice that he’s not doing those things that, you know, a typical 7-year-old should be doing, he just makes me raise those red flags.
Despite the shortage of mental health professionals, Story encourages parents to be proactive when they see those red flags and continue to target the right support.
“I say keep reaching out. Don’t wait. If you’re not sure, call and ask again,” Story said, adding that there are online resources that can be helpful in the meantime until a therapist becomes available.
Tremaine said he never misses an opportunity to speak candidly about mental well-being.
“It’s okay to feel sad sometimes, but to be able to do it in a healthy way,” said Tremaine, who strives to lead by example and share her experiences with her children.
“She helped me and I helped her,” said Bryson, 7.
Tremaine even goes to therapy at the same time as Elijah, his oldest.
“She’s getting the help she needs and deserves, and I see it’s changing her in a positive and positive way,” Elijah said.
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