The idea a therapist is only for people who are “crazy” is a sentiment we desperately need to put to rest.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 51.5 million Americans were living with mental health issues in 2019 alone. It’s becoming more and more common to hear people talk about their anxiety or depression issues which gives us a clue that as a society we are becoming more accepting of these issues and are on the right track to end the stigma. So why then, are some of us still refusing to see a therapist?
The answer is not so simply defined. Some people feel shame. We still live with this idea seeking mental health therapy is unnecessary and makes us weak. There’s nothing shocking when a friend, family member or co-worker mentions they have a doctor’s appointment. In fact, preventive help is encouraged. But it’s still not as normalized to mention you have an appointment with your therapist. And that needs to change, especially when you consider the stressors we have today.
For others, they lack the resources that are needed to be able to afford the care. It’s true, our health insurance doesn’t cover mental health like it does our physical health. Therapy tends to be looked at as more of a privilege than a necessity. In truth, how physically healthy can you really be if your mental health is suffering?
We see the signs, we read the cute inspirational quotes to listen to your neighbor and be there for your family and friends; and yet, so many of us are still afraid to speak out when we are not feeling mentally well. Nobody wants to burden others with their tales of woe as we know everyone has their own struggles. But that’s why we need to normalize this, that’s why we need to seek a therapist as we would a family doctor. The isolation that comes with feeling like you are a burden or that what you are going through is “not that bad” and others have it worse off, can be suffocating, until you realize most of us have felt this way at some point in our lives.
Therapy isn’t for the weak, it’s not for the “crazies.” It’s there for everyone and should be available and utilized as such.
