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SERIOUS BUSINESS
When to Get Professional Help
If you experience low or high moods that make it very difficult for you to:
- Keep up your appearance, attend school, keep up with homework and chores, spend time with friends, sleep well, handle your emotions, or maintain a healthy weight and eat well.
If most of the time you: -
- Can't stop worrying, can't relax, can't shut off your mind, get panicky, can't control feelings, can't concentrate, have stomach pains, headaches, very tight muscles, or other problems with your body.
If your body is at risk from:
- Rapid weight loss, under-eating, throwing up your food on purpose, binge eat, abuse of alcohol or other drugs.
If you very often feel:
- Anger, agitation, sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, helplessness, worthless, no pleasure in life, lack of energy.
If you:
- Cry a lot for no particular reason, withdraw from people and activities you once enjoyed, have repeated thougts of death of feelinds of wanting to harm yourself, have tried to harm yourself before
** Remember, no matter what you are dealing with, others have felt the same way and dealt with the same kinds of problems (even if you feel like you are the only one).
Tips on Getting Help for Yourself
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Tell someone you trust (friend, sibling, parent, teacher, aunt, uncle, grandparent). Say "I need some help". We all need support from others.
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Ask that person to help you find professional help.
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If it makes you feel more comfortable and helps you take those first steps, you can ask that person to go with you.
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If there is a School Counselor or Social Worker at your school, you can talk to them. You could also get referred to a Doctor, Therapist, Psychiatrist or Support Group. There is a list of resources in your TELL-IT! Folder.
** If the first person that you ask for help doesn't get you the help that you need, ask someone else and keep trying until you are able to find someone who can help you!
How to Get Help for A Friend
Listen carefully to what they say and how they are feeling. Try to understand. Don't pass judgement or tell them how to feel. Don't give advice.
Tell them you are worried and want to help them. You could say: "I'm concerned about you". "I care about you and don't want to see you hurting". "I want to help you so you don't have to feel this way".
Suggest that they talk to a trusted adult (a parent, teacher, counselor, social worker, family member). There is also a list of resources in your TELL-IT! Folder.
Offer to go with them if they think it owuld be easier.
- If they agree, go with them and offer support.
- If they refuse, tell a trusted adult for them immediately. They may be in serious danger.
**If the first adult you tell doesn't help, try talking to a different trusted adult and keep trying until you find someone who will help. Avoid gossip and spreading rumors.
REMEMBER, IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY, YOU CAN CALL 911 OR THE KID'S HELPLINE AT 834-1144
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