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4 Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health

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Mental health issues are common, with studies showing that nearly 50 million American adults are experiencing mental issues. Thankfully, most people are beginning to open up about the subject, as one survey shows that 87% of Americans believe mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of. However, the subject still attracts some stigma and silence, making it difficult for some people to open up. Studies have shown that speaking to a trusted person has many benefits. Here are some of them.

It helps combat mental health stigma and discrimination

Unfortunately, some studies show that many people with mental health problems admit that stigma and discrimination have negatively affected their lives. This disheartening statistic shows that stigma and discrimination are still rife, discouraging many people from opening up. However, discussing your mental health struggles is one of the best ways to combat the same stigma. Opening up and getting people around you to understand your struggle can help break down the barriers of stigmatization and discrimination. It allows you to correct certain misconceptions, making it easier to ask for help. 

It makes it easier to receive help

Asking for help is the first step to receiving help. Regardless of your mental health struggles or causes, you can receive the assistance you need. Most people think there’s help only for the common causes of mental health issues - abuse, loneliness, grief, and stress. Believe it or not, you can find help even for the less common or talked about causes of mental health issues. For example, various studies have identified a connection between sex addiction and depression. One research found that 28% of sexually compulsive men show signs of depression, compared to 12% of the general population. And it’s almost impossible to identify this connection and get help without talking about it. Thankfully, help is available even for this addiction. For example, you can get addiction therapy from experts like Lifeworks Recovery - sex addiction counselors

Creates a supportive environment 

While you can get all the help from trusted professionals, talking about your mental health issues also creates a support system around you. Trusted professionals can only do so much and may be limited to a professional environment [such as this luxury mental hospital]. However, having a support system of friends, family, and other loved ones is a massive help. Loved ones who get to understand what you’re going through can provide the emotional, financial, and social support you need on your road to recovery. Beyond that, sharing your mental health experiences encourages others around you to do the same. That creates a chain reaction of sharing, openness, and solidarity. This chain reaction also creates a more supportive environment where others feel comfortable discussing their struggles. 

It helps you understand that you’re not alone

There’s comfort in numbers. As indicated earlier, millions of Americans experience mental health issues. But that feels like a distant number for those struggling alone. Opening up and benefiting from the following supportive environment can help you feel that you’re not alone. The statistics are no longer empty numbers as you’ll have people who share similar experiences physically around you, whether in group therapy, with friends, or with colleagues. And understanding you’re not alone makes dealing with your issues much easier.

What are the benefits of talking about your struggles? Are mental health counselors really effective? Where can I go for help with sex addiction? Mental Health, Health, Is there still a stigma about going to a counselor for help?

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