How to Get Help and What I Would Have Done Differently

"Something bad is going to happen... it's just inevitable."

"I'll never be good enough for myself or anyone else. I'm just not enough." 

"I just want to cry all the time."

"Nothing makes me laugh like I used to."

"People make me nervous... I feel like they're always judging me."

Wow. Was that as hard for you to read as it was for me to type? 

Do any of those phrases sound all too familiar to you? If you answered no to any or all of these questions, good for you! This post isn't for you. If, however, you answered yes to any of these questions and don't know what to do about it, this post is for you. And for the old me. 
The anxious/depressed/obsessive compulsive me. 

I have experienced all of the feelings mentioned above before, plus about another fifty rainbows worth of colorful emotions throughout my life. Finally I came to a point when I realized that I needed help, but it wasn't me who looked in the mirror and realized that my life was dysfunctional. Instead, my mom and my sweet husband saw the abnormalities in my life and lovingly, patiently and without judgement suggested to me after I had recounted yet another nightmare from the night before that perhaps it was time to seek professional help. This was a little less than six months ago and already I can tell you that I am doing so much better. Not all the way there yet, but still so much better. 

If you're more in tune with your emotions than I am, perhaps you've been able to catch on to your own struggles before someone else has to tell you about them, or maybe what I've mentioned about my past experiences sounds all-too familiar and you're considering seeking guidance from a more well-trained professional. This can be a little overwhelming, especially with all the other emotions you're dealing with already. 

Don't worry. Here are some tips on where to go after you've hit the "I might need help" stage, along with what I wish I would have done differently since I began the healing process. 

1. Talk to your bishop or pastor. Believe it or not, the presider of your church congregation has multiple resources that will help you in your path to get help. They can refer you to trained therapists and counselors who specialize in your specific area of need all while sharing the same spiritual beliefs and values that you do. And, LDS bishops can sometimes offer financial assistance when you agree to seek out professional help. Even if you've already been meeting with a therapist or counselor, it's always a good idea to let your pastor know that you're struggling because they care and they have spiritual responsibility and authority for you, so it won't ever hurt to have them on your side understanding what you're enduring at this stage of life. 
What I wish I would have done differently: 
It wasn't until my bishop recently asked me what was going on in my life that I finally disclosed to him what I was struggling with. Just knowing that he knows what I'm going through has been such a comfort. I am so grateful for my bishop!

2. Take Advantage of Work Resources. Any place of employment with a Human Resources department will have exactly what their department name suggests: resources for human needs. They can give you suicide hotline numbers, lists of therapists in your health insurance network and many other forms of assistance, including FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) benefits if necessary. 
What I wish I would have done differently:
One thing that I majorly regret from my past work experience is not letting my bosses know when I was going through medication changes or other emotional trials that would inevitably impact my work life. So, learn from my mistakes and don't be afraid to tell your Human Resources manager and/or your boss that you are struggling. If they are in a management position chances are that they are reasonable people who are decently understanding and will be willing to accommodate your needs. Besides, I'm pretty sure employers can be sued if they aren't accommodating of emotional disorders, but they can't be accommodating if they don't know about it!

3. Ask for Help at School. It seems to me like in every semester of college (at least in my major) we always spend some time in the first few weeks of school going over all that the Student Resources department at my university can provide for its students. This, surprisingly enough, includes counseling and referrals to other counselors nearby. They have support groups and special accommodations that can be requested and granted with proper documentation that allow for accommodations like longer testing periods, private testing outside of the classroom, as well as many other resources that have been implemented in order for you to succeed. Honestly, out of thousands of students on campus, you are most definitely not the only one experiencing difficulty outside of school. And don't be afraid to tell your teachers about it, either. If there is anything I've learned about college, it's that professors are far more reasonable than I've ever assumed them to be. Let them know your struggles and that you're seeking help and they will work with you because they want to see you succeed if you show them that you're dedicated to success.
What I wish I would have done differently:
Withdraw, withdraw, withdraw! This last year as been a rough one for me. Rather than talking to my professors and college Deans however, I elected to fail my classes even though I would have been eligible for incomplete grades or withdrawals. This would have been a much cheaper and more effective option than adding a falling grade to my transcripts, but hindsight is 20/20. If there is any chance that you might struggle during the upcoming semester, talk to your professors and let them know!

These are just a few of the many resources available to you! There are online forums and weekly support groups, hotlines and even dear friends and family members ready and waiting to help you find the help you need. The most important step that you need to take is to just ask for help. 
That one little world can bring a world of change.

Just a spiritual thought from Elder Holland to conclude this post. 
Special thanks again to Pinterest for this little gem!

*I am not a therapist, nor am I affiliated with any organization that provides help. I am merely a friend offering suggestions on where to seek help should you feel the need to do so.