By Dean Rudloff
The Lake County Mental Health Task Force
The North Shore Mental Health Group
It is important to find the help that is right for you when your mental health feels off. Hope, healing, and support can come from many places and in many forms. Often our first points of contact when we are struggling are our friends, family, or colleagues. Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be an uncomfortable and an uncertain topic but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, talking with them can be the difference in getting them the help they need.
Yes, people you know can be good resources to find mental wellness supports in your community. Besides family and friends, consider talking with your primary care doctor, a spiritual advisor, or someone else that you can trust about what’s going on and what you are looking for. Added to this, it’s good to know that you are not alone in your struggle. Having mental health peer support, as from the Water Front Center in Two Harbors or the G.L.A.D group in Silver Bay, can be a great way to connect with others that may have similar experiences as you are experiencing. And don’t rule out professional help. To begin, ask for referrals from your friends, family, primary care physician, clergy, or other people you trust because sometimes it’s hard to know where to get professional help as there are many different types of mental health professionals. A list of area Providers are found at www.co.lake.mn.us/health-and-human-services/support-guide-3/mental-health.
Support groups can help one see that there are others with similar experiences to your own. An additional a list of support groups include: NAMI (https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/) or Mental Health America (https://www.mhanational.org/find-support-groups). #YouMatterMN or #CreateHopeThroughAction.
Talking with someone about their thoughts and feelings can save a life. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in need of emotional and mental health support. You can also text: “MN” to 741741 or phone 844.772.4724 from your phone. Lifeline centers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It’s important that as one takes care of their physical body and its needs, it’s just as important that they take care of their mental wellbeing and health as well.
