No, your problems are not too small to seek therapy

The phrase “drama queen” really hasn’t worked wonders for our mental health.

The stigma of being “melodramatic” is so high that we often tend to dismiss our own problems as “pointless” or not worthy of professional intervention.

We don’t want to give the impression that we’re making a fuss about everything.

But you don’t have to be in crisis to seek therapy. In fact, it’s important to get help before this point – and totally normal.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, an estimated one in eight adults (12.1%) in the UK are currently receiving some form of mental health care.

However, many of us still don’t realize that no problem is too small for therapy.

You don’t have to have a specific problem or diagnosis or be completely overwhelmed to qualify for help.

Jordan Vyas-Lee, a psychotherapist and co-founder of the Kove Mental Health Clinic, believes that therapy can be a powerful tool for anyone, wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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• Note the info line on: 0300 123 3393 for their information and signposting service. You can talk to them about mental health issues, where to get help in your area, treatment options, and advocacy services.
• NHS therapy programs nhs.uk/service-search for talk therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, other therapies, guided self-help, and help for common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
• TELEPHONE CALL Text: 85258 to access a “free, confidential 24/7 text support service for anyone in need.”
• Your council may also have services to help you, for example Lambeth Council offers one local talk therapy service that people can find themselves.
• The mix is a free emergency service for people under the age of 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: [email protected]
• Rethinking Mental Illness offers practical help via the advice line on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Mental Health Matters (MHM) offers telephone counseling and talk therapy in some areas. Call 0191 516 3500 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm or email [email protected]
• LGBT Foundation, a Manchester-based charity that provides mental health services and resources to the gay community, including friendships, free counseling and a support hotline.
• London friend is an LGBT+ charity that supports the health and mental wellbeing of the LGBT community in and around London by providing a telephone support service, advice and support groups.
• For students, your college and university should have free counseling services listed on their website.
• If you want to connect with a community of people who may be having similar experiences as you, you can join online groups such as Elfriends can be useful.
• If meditation and mindfulness are more your thing, or if you just need help right now, use a free app like Quiet for help with falling asleep, meditating and relaxing or main room If you notice changes in thoughts, feelings, or behavior, this may help.

However, if you do not have access to free/cheap therapy and still want to speak to someone, we recommend that you find a private therapist by searching the Counseling Directory or the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to ensure that you get help from a qualified professional.