HUMANS 101
Stop Telling People With Mental Health Issues to Reach Out Because You Don’t Mean It
I did reach out, but my people ignored me and you probably ignore your people too
I used to think I was someone who retreated when I needed help. I thought I isolated myself when faced with troubles. After doing internal work with the help of my therapist, I’ve recognized that retreating is a defense mechanism I’ve developed in response to feeling rejected.
I’m not the picture that comes to mind when thinking of someone who reaches out when in need. I’m independent. I like to work through issues on my own as much as possible. Additionally, it was ingrained in me from an early age to never ask for help. My dad drilled into me that asking for help was not only a sign of weakness, but it also gave others power over you. Despite those things, I strongly believe in interdependence. I believe we all need one another in some capacity. While I don’t like to ask for help unnecessarily, I’m not above asking for help when I feel that I need it. Unfortunately, most often when I reach out to others, I’m left on read. I’m dismissed, given a platitude, given an empty promise, or met with silence.
