Your Mental Health Support Squad... Needs a Catchier Name
Everyone needs help once in a while. Not constantly, but enough that when a rough patch does come up, you know you have the right support. That can include friends and family--especially friends and family--when you feel you’re struggling, but should you be considering looking to expand your mental health support squad?
In my personal experience the last few months, I have had to expand the professional/specialist team in order for me to learn, control, and deal with my mental illness. I have been so lucky, and so grateful for everyone who has been able to help, but I will tell you: it’s not easy. It’s difficult because things had gotten so bad that I felt like I could no longer just talk about it with my friends and family. I needed more help; I needed a more professional approach to talk to so that I didn’t strain or destroy the relationships I have.
But there are so many designations out there, so many certifications; group therapy, individual therapy, types of therapy. What would be right for me? Here are some pointers to help in your journey to expanding your mental health support squad.
Friends and Family
Of course, these are your first go-to people when you feel you are struggling. You’re stressed, you’re sad, you’re freaking out--they’re always there to listen and support you no matter how or what you need. But have you ever had a moment where you maybe felt taken aback when they suggest that you consider a therapist? Please, do not take that suggestion as negative. They’re not trying to push you onto someone else so that they no longer have to hear about it. They’re not trying to tell you that you’re crazy, because you’re (probably) not. They love you and want you to feel better, and if they can’t do it themselves, they want to support you and direct you in possibly a better direction. Remember this.
Your Family Doctor
Is this starting to sound a little repetitive of my first blog post? Well, your family doctor is part of your mental health support squad. Your family doctor has resources: referral abilities to specialists that are covered by your provincial health plan so that you aren’t paying out of pocket. They will also probably have recommendations or a list of therapists who they give out when a patient is actively searching for someone to talk to. But it’s also helpful to know where each referral stands.
Psychiatrist
(This information is from personal experience, and may differ from others’ experiences)
A psychiatrist is who you are referred to that is covered through your provincial health plan. This referral needs to be completed by either your family doctor or from a hospital. But a psychiatrist is not your all-encompassing team member. They are there to evaluate your needs and produce further recommendations. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, but they can also recommend and prescribe various therapies.
My first appointment with a psychiatrist was about 90 minutes which covered his assessment of me. This assessment evaluated my needs, what was going on, provided him an insight of my history and my present state, and recommend medication changes and therapy. My follow ups with him now are roughly 20 minutes. Why? Because he’s following up about my medication and if I have continued with his recommendations on therapy. He is not my therapist. He asks me how I’m feeling overall, if the medication he prescribed is working--how it is working; if the therapist I have found has been helping.
So if you don’t feel you need a psychiatrist, or your doctor doesn’t recommend it, who is the therapist?
Psychologist/ Social Worker/ Psychotherapist
This person is your therapist. Your constant treatment and session specialist. Ignore the designation for a moment and make sure you consider this: you need to connect with them. You need to be able to open up to them about things you maybe don’t even tell your best friend or your mother. You need to feel comfortable with them and know that you are in a safe space. They don’t know your mother, father; sibling, best friend, coworker; so they’re not going to call them up after a session and say “oh my god you’ll never guess what she just said about you”. If you don’t trust them, if you don’t connect with them, you will not want to work with them. Then you won’t get anywhere and you will have just wasted a lot of money in treatment that you don’t plan on using.
When you find a therapist you connect with, it shouldn’t matter their designation. Unfortunately, this is a specialist who you will probably have to pay for out of pocket. Group and Individual Health Insurance Plans should help offset this cost, HOWEVER, most plans will only cover professionals with the designation of Psychologist or (Registered) Social Worker. If you do not know what is covered under your benefits, look it up. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, call the company and ask. Your benefits can make it a little easier on your budget, because I will warn you now: you’re going to pay $100+ per session. But it is worth it.
(If it’s not obvious, I work in group health & dental insurance claims--I know about this stuff because it’s my job. If you have any general questions, feel free to ask me.)
In the end, everyone just wants to make sure that you are doing the best you can. Your support squad is all looking out for one person, and that person is you. And if you have started your search of building your support squad, I’m proud of you. It’s not easy--I know. I definitely, definitely know how hard it is. And I am proud of you for taking that step to finding the help you need. <3
In my personal experience the last few months, I have had to expand the professional/specialist team in order for me to learn, control, and deal with my mental illness. I have been so lucky, and so grateful for everyone who has been able to help, but I will tell you: it’s not easy. It’s difficult because things had gotten so bad that I felt like I could no longer just talk about it with my friends and family. I needed more help; I needed a more professional approach to talk to so that I didn’t strain or destroy the relationships I have.
But there are so many designations out there, so many certifications; group therapy, individual therapy, types of therapy. What would be right for me? Here are some pointers to help in your journey to expanding your mental health support squad.
Friends and Family
Of course, these are your first go-to people when you feel you are struggling. You’re stressed, you’re sad, you’re freaking out--they’re always there to listen and support you no matter how or what you need. But have you ever had a moment where you maybe felt taken aback when they suggest that you consider a therapist? Please, do not take that suggestion as negative. They’re not trying to push you onto someone else so that they no longer have to hear about it. They’re not trying to tell you that you’re crazy, because you’re (probably) not. They love you and want you to feel better, and if they can’t do it themselves, they want to support you and direct you in possibly a better direction. Remember this.
Your Family Doctor
Is this starting to sound a little repetitive of my first blog post? Well, your family doctor is part of your mental health support squad. Your family doctor has resources: referral abilities to specialists that are covered by your provincial health plan so that you aren’t paying out of pocket. They will also probably have recommendations or a list of therapists who they give out when a patient is actively searching for someone to talk to. But it’s also helpful to know where each referral stands.
Psychiatrist
(This information is from personal experience, and may differ from others’ experiences)
A psychiatrist is who you are referred to that is covered through your provincial health plan. This referral needs to be completed by either your family doctor or from a hospital. But a psychiatrist is not your all-encompassing team member. They are there to evaluate your needs and produce further recommendations. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, but they can also recommend and prescribe various therapies.
My first appointment with a psychiatrist was about 90 minutes which covered his assessment of me. This assessment evaluated my needs, what was going on, provided him an insight of my history and my present state, and recommend medication changes and therapy. My follow ups with him now are roughly 20 minutes. Why? Because he’s following up about my medication and if I have continued with his recommendations on therapy. He is not my therapist. He asks me how I’m feeling overall, if the medication he prescribed is working--how it is working; if the therapist I have found has been helping.
So if you don’t feel you need a psychiatrist, or your doctor doesn’t recommend it, who is the therapist?
Psychologist/ Social Worker/ Psychotherapist
This person is your therapist. Your constant treatment and session specialist. Ignore the designation for a moment and make sure you consider this: you need to connect with them. You need to be able to open up to them about things you maybe don’t even tell your best friend or your mother. You need to feel comfortable with them and know that you are in a safe space. They don’t know your mother, father; sibling, best friend, coworker; so they’re not going to call them up after a session and say “oh my god you’ll never guess what she just said about you”. If you don’t trust them, if you don’t connect with them, you will not want to work with them. Then you won’t get anywhere and you will have just wasted a lot of money in treatment that you don’t plan on using.
When you find a therapist you connect with, it shouldn’t matter their designation. Unfortunately, this is a specialist who you will probably have to pay for out of pocket. Group and Individual Health Insurance Plans should help offset this cost, HOWEVER, most plans will only cover professionals with the designation of Psychologist or (Registered) Social Worker. If you do not know what is covered under your benefits, look it up. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, call the company and ask. Your benefits can make it a little easier on your budget, because I will warn you now: you’re going to pay $100+ per session. But it is worth it.
(If it’s not obvious, I work in group health & dental insurance claims--I know about this stuff because it’s my job. If you have any general questions, feel free to ask me.)
In the end, everyone just wants to make sure that you are doing the best you can. Your support squad is all looking out for one person, and that person is you. And if you have started your search of building your support squad, I’m proud of you. It’s not easy--I know. I definitely, definitely know how hard it is. And I am proud of you for taking that step to finding the help you need. <3
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