Seeing a psychologist - obstacles not often talked about
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share some thoughts on the struggles of getting professional mental health support. I've been trying to get some help lately, and it's been a bit of a journey. However, I'm incredibly happy and proud to say I've finally been able to get out there and I'll be seeing a psych soon!
Here are a few things I've noticed that might resonate with some of you:
Cost: Therapy can be super expensive, especially if you're struggling with other things financially, it doesn't seem like something to spend on ASAP. I've been lucky enough to save up a bit to start seeing someone but it was very challenging.
Finding the Right Fit: Not every therapist is the right match for everyone. It can take a few tries to find someone you really click with, and that process can be exhausting and discouraging. Working in the mental health field, I so often see people needing to go through different people and sometimes it takes a couple tries to get it right, YOU GOT THIS!
Stigma: For me, this was a big one. Culturally, no one in my family talks or believes in mental health and it's been tricky trying to get them to be open-minded. Even though we're getting better about talking about mental health, there's still a lot of stigma out there. It can be hard to admit you need help and actually reach out for it, especially if you're family or those around you say it's not important.
Time: Between school, work, and everything else, finding the time to see someone regularly can be tough. Some of us have to balance so much that it feels impossible to fit therapy into our schedules. That's why I think services like ReachOut are incredible, not only is it assessable but sometimes it can be a light in the tunnel.
Accessibility: Not everyone has easy access to mental health services. If you live in a rural area or a place without a lot of options, it can be really hard to find someone to see. We're very lucky to be in a day and age where we can access help via the internet, but sometimes it's also a difficult option and not for everyone.
Is anyone else experiencing this? How are you guys dealing with it? Does anyone have any suggestions around these or maybe even something to add to the list?
Comments
This is an amazing post @frozenA
And I think it's something a lot of us can relate to, one way or another. Personally, I struggled with the accessibility. I grew up in rural Victoria where it was very hard to find a psychologist in the area. Also, where I grew up, there was a lot of stigma around mental health and there was a lot of the negative talk of 'man up'.
I also struggled with finding someone who was the right fit for me. Unfortunately, I didn't have many options but the first psychologist I saw, I thought she spoke a lot more than I did and I left feeling like I didn't actually get to explain what I was going through and how I was feeling.
My greatest wish is that everyone has access to mental health support and that it is absolutely someone who suits them.
@Invictus-Ernest talk about relatable. Growing up in an immigrant household I've been told mental health is a hoax and doesn't matter so it's been so hard to break my own biases and conceptions. I totally understand the very 'man up' way of looking at mental health, and I'm slowly coming to accept that I don't need to be a rock all the time.
I hope the same, mental health support is a human right and should be provided for everyone, no matter the situation.
Hi @frozenA 
Thanks for this great post! That's so good that you'll be seeing a psych soon well done for taking that step!!
All these factors can absolutely get in the way of seeing a professional especially cost, finding the right fit and stigma. Even the waiting time to see a psychologist can take a while, some people I know have had to wait months to get an appointment. Sometimes it is a hit-and-miss finding the right psychologist, you might not click with someone right away but that's okay and totally normal. Stigma is also still a big factor, I think we have come a long way with mental health but it definitely needs to be more normalised.
hi @Blueberry_Kudu 100%, it's definitely a process, I've been on the waitlist to see this particular psych for 3 months and I won't see them till July, so it's been a journey.
Normalising the stigma around mental health is going to take time but it's amazing seeing more and more people be more open about it. 💞
Finding the right fit is sooo important! Nobody told me when I was beginning counselling all those years ago that it was ok to not click with your therapist. Sure there was nothing wrong with my initial therapist, she was fine, but I didn't feel a connected with her and maybe slighly misunderstood. It is such a journey and I've seen a few more practitioners since then, but always remember, everyone, it is ok to switch practitioners!
@Green_Ghost THIS!! Just like if you're going to see a GP or doctor and want a second opinion, mental health is still your health and sometimes it can be trial and error in finding comfort and a practitioner that works for you!
Hi @frozenA , thank you so much for sharing these struggles. You're so right in saying these things are often not talked about enough, and I think it's really insightful that you've been able to articulate these obstacles so nicely.
Hey @frozenA 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! This is such a powerful post and you have raised some really significant challenges that many people experience with accessing mental health services.
I also wanted to acknowledge the fact that you have finally been able to get out there and will be seeing a psychologist soon. It can be really tough to take this step, so you should be really proud of yourself for this!
I think many people reading this will be able to relate to a lot of the points you have highlighted and I’m sure it will bring a lot of comfort to others knowing that they too are not alone in experiencing this.
I know you have shared some really important points and I wanted to share some things that may help with these.
Cost: We have a really great article here which goes into detail about how to get professional help if you don’t have much money.
- If you are able to get a mental health plan through your GP, there may be a rebate on some of your yearly psychologist sessions and this is something that you can talk to your GP about.
- If you are at university, TAFE or school, you may be able to access mental health support if your school/university has services for that.
- If you are working, your work may provide an EAP (Employee Access Program) where you can access mental health support through your work.
- There are also several free mental health services such as KidsHelpline which provides one on one counselling for people aged up to 25. You can also book a session with ReachOut PeerChat if you are over 18!
Finding the right fit: There are several different types of mental health professionals and while finding the right fit can sometimes be a challenge, we have an article here which provides some tips that might help with this.
Stigma: This is a really important one and I am really glad that you have shared this. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for support, especially if there is a lack of understanding about mental health within families, or communities. Even the simple fact of just speaking about this in the community like you have is helping to break down this stigma and I hope that we all continue to openly discuss this in a safe space.
I wanted to thank you again for sharing such a powerful and important post with us all! These are really important conversations and I know that many people experience this and you are certainly not alone.
Take care
