In finding a way to face a troubling condition or situation, often, the biggest single step is the first one.  An old Chinese proverb states that a journey of 3,000 miles begins with the first step.  Yet, it is this very step that we and the ones we know and care about can have the hardest time taking.   

A mental health condition is something that affects one in five Americans.  Today, there are many new treatments and medications available that make recovery and symptom management highly probable.  In fact, more than any other area of health care, successful treatment of mental health conditions can be achieved and sustained.  You see, having information and facts can help us in taking that first step.  The more one can understand and now, the more likely it is that a first step will occur.

 We can all relate to common barriers than can get in the way of us seeking help.  It may be helpful to review some of them and your options around or through these barriers.

 Sometimes, it may be hard just to know where to turn for help.  There are many places we can turn to ask where and what kind of help is available—here at the Mental Health Center, Mercy’s Ask-A-Nurse, United Way of North Central Iowa, your church, your primary care physician and, at times, even your employer through employee assistance programs.  We are fortunate to be living in North Central Iowa as there is a range of well trained and experienced providers of services which are already in place to help with mental health conditions.  Helping someone gain information and knowledge and assisting in referral to service providers is an active part of what many organizations were formed for and do on a daily basis. You should not hesitate to reach out and call.

 You may find that there is a delay from the time you call seeking help and services and the time you can be seen.  You should ask the service provider what their procedures are for being seen sooner.  Your service provider may have a cancellation list you could be placed on, such as the one we use here at the Mental Health Center .  Also, ask your provider how they handle emergencies.  The Mental Health Center has a mental health professional on call after its normal business hours who is available to respond to your calls.  This person can also make arrangements for a person with a psychiatric emergency to be seen the next working day.  This person also has information on resources that are available to you or your loved one during such emergency situations.  

Hesitation, ambivalence, privacy are all a normal part of planning your visit.  What to say and how much to say play a part in the treatment of mental health conditions.  The person you see for mental health conditions is a trained professional who offers a confidential relationship in which to express your concerns.  This trained professional works for you much like a consultant—assisting you, through empowerment, to take action.

The biggest barrier to taking the first step may be denial.  Denial can be the stumbling block for all that is possible.  Of course, there are many personal reasons behind denial and may include pride, defensiveness, lack of understanding, ignorance, fear or frustration.  While the reasons for denial are many and varied, they generally all have one thing in common—denial protects us in the short-term, but hurts us in the long run.  Denial has the affect of keeping responsibility away from us.  Hones, non-defensive expressions of concern, support from others and a mindfulness of our own actions go a long way in chipping away at denial.