When to Seek Out Mental Health Support

The winter months, with their shorter days and colder weather, can significantly impact mental health. Seasonal changes, combined with life’s ongoing challenges, often bring about feelings of sadness, isolation, or stress. Understanding when to seek mental health support is key to maintaining overall well-being—not just during the colder months, but throughout the year.

Signs You May Need Support

While everyone experiences ups and downs, certain feelings or behaviors over an extended period of time may indicate that you need to reach out for help:

• Persistent sadness or irritability that lasts longer than two weeks.
• Difficulty concentrating or completing daily tasks.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns, such as sleeping too much or too little.
• Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or unable to cope with stress.
• Withdrawing from social activities or relationships.
• Thoughts of self-harm or harming others.

Simple Ways to Support Yourself Daily

• Maintain a routine: Keep a consistent schedule for meals, sleep, and activities.
• Stay active: Regular exercise boosts mood and energy levels.
• Connect with others: Reach out to friends, family, or a trusted community.
• Spend time outdoors: Even brief exposure to natural light can improve mood.
• Practice self-care: Techniques like meditation or journaling can help manage stress.

When to Seek Professional Help

If self-care strategies aren’t enough, or if symptoms are worsening, it’s essential to seek support from a mental health professional. Talking to a counselor, therapist, or primary care provider can help identify treatment options tailored to your needs.

Cameron Psychiatry provides counseling and care to patients of all ages who are dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges, such as depression, anxiety, family issues, relationship concerns, stress and more. The Cameron Psychiatry team works in conjunction with primary care physicians to provide a full spectrum of care. Our goal is to encourage healthy relationships and behavioral stability through compassionate, professional care.

Cameron Psychiatry provides medication management and counseling care to patients of all ages via virtual and in office appointments who are dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges, such as depression, anxiety, family issues, relationship concerns, stress and more.

Dr. Fawver, one of Cameron’s Psychiatry providers shared, “The Cameron Psychiatry Virtual Health Team utilizes a unique set of Patient-Rated Questionnaires assigned to be completed by the patient prior to each appointment in the secure MyChart internet portal.  Similar to obtaining blood tests for other medical conditions, these questionnaires allow clinicians to identify and measure the severity of a wide range of pertinent symptoms, which are efficiently reviewed by the clinician just prior to each appointment.  Most importantly, treatment outcomes can be measured and compared at each follow-up visit to determine the success of treatment based upon these personalized responses from the patient”.

Taking the step to seek help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your mental health matters, and support is always available.