Therapy, Depression, and Suicide... Part 2

Therapy, Depression, and Suicide... Part 2

I have tried for two weeks to write this post. Two weeks going over all the scenarios in my life that warranted seeing a therapist and why I didn't at the time.

But that's the thing. You don't HAVE to need help to see a therapist. They can do such wonderful things in your life. They can just be there for you. They can be a sounding board for you whatever you have going on. They can help you unravel all the things in your brain and organize your thoughts.

I am 34 years old, and for 32 of those years I never sought therapy. 

I probably should have. Those tougher times would have been a lot easier to work through if I had. But I didn't. 

Well, I take that back, a really shitty thing happened to me in my teen years (that's for another day) and my Mom made me see someone. But that ended swiftly when the therapist realized I didn't really need the help she could give me.

I see someone now. About a year before we left Michigan I started seeing her on a recommendation from my best friend. She was fantastic. I was just having a hard time processing all the things going on around me. Marriage, kids, jobs, family relationships, my own brain. Just all of it. 

I am thankful for that time with her. It really helped me process everything going on all around me. When we moved, I was good. I was in a darn good place. I didn't FEEL like I needed to see someone, and then I did. 

I see someone now. I see someone again via tele-therapy (thanks friends who told me to try that).  For me therapy, is usually a dumping ground for all the craziness I feel is in my head. It's a place to learn new coping skills for what's going on around me.

For you, it could be anything. A place to process trauma. Gain coping skills. To dump all your life yuckiness onto someone else who will help make sense of it all. If you think you need therapy, find someone you connect with who you think will really help you. Outline what you want to get out of it and make a plan. When I began we spent the first session really going over what I wanted to get out of it. I saw her weekly for the last 3 months and a couple weeks ago I decided I was ready to go every other week.

Do not feel ashamed for getting help. Nick and I are HUGE advocates for mental health and access to mental health services. We always have been, but after losing his father to suicide, even more so. We will never know what made my Father-in-Law do what he did, never. That hurts, but all we can do now is show the people around us that we love them and want them well. We are here for you. You can reach out to us, no matter why or when.

There is NO shame in saying you need help or want help. If you cannot find someone to talk to, let me know. We'll see how we can help. Don't forget you can always, call or chat with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Visit: Suicide Prevention Lifeline for more info!