ENID, OK - It’s normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it’s time to call for help if emotional issues persist for a significant period of time and interfere with your life, your job, or your personal relationships.
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With all the mental health resources and effective treatments available these days, you don’t need to suffer and wonder what’s wrong. Education and awareness have done much to erase the stigma once attached to mental illness. Still, many people don’t seek help for mental health needs.
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Mental conditions are real, and can be life-threatening, but they’re also common and very treatable. How do you know you need help? As with many physical conditions, change is the key. If you have a marked and persistent change in personality, mood, or eating or sleeping habits, that’s a sign something may be going on.
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Symptoms to look for
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These are other warning signs:
• Feeling unable to cope with your day-to-day problems, work assignments, or usual household activities
• Being overwhelmed by a deep sense of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness
• Having extreme mood swings, from high or hyper to down in the dumps
• Abusing alcohol or drugs
• Getting very angry or acting violently
• Having thoughts about suicide or hurting someone else
• Having a plan of how you would commit suicide
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If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s better to get treatment sooner than later. These are warning signs that you definitely need help.
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Make the call
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Get help right away any time you believe you might hurt yourself or someone else. Call 800-273-TALK(800-273-8255), 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or your local crisis center. Or, look in the government pages of your local phone book for the numbers of emergency mental health treatment facilities near you. Finally, if you are in an immediate state of crisis, it is best to go to a hospital emergency room for temporary help. The emergency department doctors will also be able to tell you where and how to receive additional assistance.
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Get help
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For free information and resources, including free mental health screenings and a series of podcasts and videos from Dr. R. Murali Krishna, please visit INTEGRIS Mental Health. If you feel you need additional assistance with any mental health issues, contact INTEGRIS Mental Health or call the INTEGRIS HealthLine at 888-951-2277.
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Central Christian Church (1111 W. Broadway) hosts a Suicide Support Group. Licensed counselors facilitate the group, providing a place to safely process through grief and worry. This group is open to all people in need of support. If you are unable to attend a meeting, the invitation is always open to attend the next meeting. Although the group will meet in a church building, there are no religious requirements to attend. All are welcome to this safe space. Please contact (580-233-1214), at Central Christian Church, with any questions.
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