Hi all, beautiful humans!!
I hope this is the right place to ask. I‘m Gaby, She/Her. I’m struggling with alcohol abuse and suicidal ideation. I have a history of depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders. Right now going through a very rough patch and I don’t know where to get help.
I’m trying to hold on to life and to hope. I’m trying to stay sober but I relapsed and I feel extreme unworthy of love, of life, of anything good.
My sincere apologies for the delay! Asking Jude is going through a sizeable transition in order to include both text-based and video call-based counselling sessions. Thank you SO much for your patience! You may find Jennie's advice below:
Hi there!
Thank you for coming to Asking Jude. Stay strong and hopeful in your pursuit to find the help you deserve.
The first step you can do is to contact your insurance company and they can provide a list of professionals and doctors who are in your plan. You can also visit http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to look for affordable mental health services. Lastly, you can also visit your local community mental health center which provides free or affordable services.
Support groups are an amazing way to talk openly with people who are dealing with similar feelings as you. You will feel less lonely and judged, stay motivated and empowered, and learn from others around you. You can find your local support group with Mental Health America affiliate. In addition, there are also online support groups you can access if there are no groups in your area.
Journaling, exercising, and doing things that keep your mind and body moving is a great way to get well. Journaling your thoughts, making goals, and sticking to them will help you stay accountable and successful. One of the best things you can do is to exercise, go on hikes, walk, and be outdoors. Staying indoors for long periods of time can make you feel unmotivated. You can go out with supportive friends or take the time outdoors to meditate and reflect.
Finding professionals, support groups, and doing things that keep your mind and body moving are all excellent ways to get that help and encouragement you need. Often times, we forget that getting help can also mean a few set backs but surrounding yourself with people who want to aid you during this time is so important. Remember that you are extremely worthy of love, live, and everything good.
Hope this helps and here are additional resources you can browse through in the meantime:
https://arc.mhanational.org/find-affiliate
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/#:~:text=Exercise%20improves%20mental%20health%20by,self%2Desteem%20and%20cognitive%20function.&text=Exercise%20has%20also%20been%20found,self%2Desteem%20and%20social%20withdrawal.
https://www.verywellmind.com/find-a-support-group-meeting-near-you-69433
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495
https://afsp.org/find-a-mental-health-professional
Best,
Jennie
Hi, @Gaby, She/Her ! One of our peer counsellors, Jennie, will be getting back to you shortly. Until then, stay strong!
Gaby, thank you for coming to Asking Jude. A Peer Counselor will get to your 'ask' soon and will have specific information to help you. I sort of wish I was a psychologist or psychiatrist (I am neither, I am officially retired at age 71), because if I were a psychologist or psychiatrist, I could probably pin point for you how you came to your current situation. Without knowing anything about you, I think you're special for simply thinking of the members, here, at Asking Jude as 'beautiful humans.' To me, that's a good starting point for a conversation!