So, What Exactly Should I Do?

There is no right or wrong way to reach out, the important thing is that you do it. Knowing who to turn to may come down to trusting your gut and deciding who will help you feel comfortable and in control. Think about who you really trust.. Can you name three people (out loud if you are able to) who pop into your head? That’s your team. Having a team in your corner will help you feel empowered.

Always remember that you need to stay safe.  If you second-guess your safety, reach out to someone immediately. If you feel unsafe and it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 right away. If you need support now, reach out to a trusted person who can help with immediate next steps, or even use your phone to text a hotline like Crisis Text Line at 741741, or call The Trevor Project, who specialize in helping the young LGBTQI+ community at 1-866-488-7386.

When we recognize it’s time for some extra help, we let others know it is okay to reach out as well.

Sometimes we don’t know exactly what we need, or we’re unsure of what someone can offer. That’s normal, and it shouldn’t discourage you from reaching out. It’s perfectly fine if you have no idea what you need right now.

So, who should you talk to? When you think about people in your life we feel comfortable opening up to, who comes to mind? It may be a best friend, a family member, a teacher, coach or maybe even that funny coworker that always makes you laugh.

There are also online spaces where people like you are already having these conversations. These spaces are helpful, especially when it comes to knowing you are not alone and what you are feeling is valid. Our community at Hey, I’m Here is using social media to reach out to one another. Follow @HeyImHereOhio on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat and join the conversation.

Things like stigma and discrimination can make us think that we shouldn’t talk about out mental wellness. We don’t buy that. It is okay to talk, and together we can start the conversation to end stigma.

Together we are in this to not only survive but to thrive.

When it comes to our mental wellness, being a part of the process can make us feel more in control and can even make treatment and support that much more helpful.

Developing a mental wellness plan is an important step in keeping us in the driver’s seat of our wellness journey. A mental wellness plan helps us track what is and what is not working when it comes to our mental well-being. It helps us remember our coping skills so that we can use them when life gets challenging. Mental wellness plans allow us to keep track of our thoughts, our moods, our behaviors, and our emotions.

Identifying and working with your wellness support team helps you start your mental wellness plan. Your doctors can tell you how to stay healthy, whether that’s going to talk therapy, taking a certain medication, or a mix of both. Working with your wellness professionals on this plan allows you to gather information about your mental wellness. This can include information on a certain diagnosis and contact information for everyone on your team.

There is no right or wrong way to go about making a mental wellness plan. You can start the process on your own but getting the rest of your support team on board can make this experience even more helpful.