Assalamualaikum and hi everyone. How are you been doing? I hope everyone is healthy and happy. Since the day I open up about my mental health and became part of mental health advocate, I've been receiving a few similar questions. I am literally nobody in the mental health advocate community, but I have friends and a really small circle on my blog.
Recently, one of my blog readers dm me personally thanking me for sharing my stories inspires her to keep on fighting and seek help. I can't help but feel happy and grateful that I can help some people. Honestly, I just want to thank each of you that read my stories because you make me feel heard.
Anyway, on today's entry, I just want to share how to seek help or get your mental health check-up.
Disclaimer!
I am not a professional, therapist, counsellor, or psychiatrist. I have no qualification in advising people on mental health matters. This entry is made from my point of view and is meant to be a discussion topic.
Taking the first step to check-up our mental health is not an easy step to take. It takes courage, time, energy and more. But most importantly, the first step can be so clueless and helpless. Not going to lie I took about 4-6 months to figure out how to take the first step. I talked to a few advocates, fighters and survivors. I read a lot of Twitter threads. I watch a lot of videos. Finally, in Jun 2021, I took courageous steps by signing up for an online Mental Health screening. Feel free to check my experience on this entry [here]
So, that was my story. What about you? To take the first step you have a few options. You may choose to go to Klinik Kesihatan and ask for a consultation (request from the doctor in Klinik Kesihatan to see a psychiatrist in hospital if necessary), Check-up at the closest Mentari centre, a Government hospital with a psychiatry unit. These are very affordable services, I believe ranging from RM5-RM30 (I might be wrong). Or, if you have some extra money you can go to private hospitals and clinics. I am not really sure about the prices.
If you feel like, you just need therapy or you don't want any medication. You can register for sessions with a counsellor, clinical psychologist or certified professional. If you have no idea, where to look for these services, you can check out aloe.mind, caracara.space or ripple.community on Instagram. There are more services out there, but these three are the most familiar to me. These services can be expensive for some, but still in an affordable range starting from RM25-RM250. Do check out those pages because sometimes they do have promotions and free check-ups. If you are in an emergency or any life-threatening situation contact befrienders at o3-76272929 (free service).
Personally, I go through the therapy route just because I find it really flexible and I can choose my therapist. Also, some of the services/platforms are conducted online. It is really up to you to make the choice. If you think diagnosis and medication are important, choose Klinik Kesihatan or Hospitals.
Besides, it is important for you to know the types of professionals available. There are psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, counsellors and trainees. Psychiatrists are the professionals that can diagnose and their treatment approach is medications. Clinical psychologists can diagnose but the approaches are psychotherapy like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Counsellors, on the other hand, use a more person-centred approach like talk therapy. For trainees, they are final year master's students. I believed trainees are highly supervised and competent to help you.
If you are still hesitant and not sure when to actually seek help. You can start by taking the screening or test first. Just to get a general idea about your mental health. I know it's going to be scary and I know a big part of you want to reach out. It's okay, take your small steps, and gather some courage. You are not alone, there are more people fighting alongside you.
That is all for this entry. If you have any experience by any chance please share it in the comment section down below. Let others know they are not alone.
See you in the next entry. Bye <3