When people notice symptoms of possible illness such as increased fatigue, persistent headaches or an abnormally fast heart rate, the typical response is to visit a family physician. There is a problem and doctors can help identify and treat it because they are experts on the human body.

So why is it that when people notice the same symptoms of increased fatigue, persistent headaches, or an abnormally fast heart rate but suspect that it’s psychological, they often avoid seeking help? There is a problem and a counsellor, therapist or psychologist can help identify and treat it because they are experts on the human brain. Although the symptoms and reasoning remains the same in both scenarios, the resulting actions are often different.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime,” but “Almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.” Needless to say, this is illogical.

Researchers from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University note that, “Anxiety, depression and stress, often co-occurring, are the psychological problems for which university students most often seek help” (2013). But despite the normalcy of needing psychological help and the free counselling services provided on campus, a stigma persists against seeking it.

If a fear of judgment or a personal aversion to certain words is keeping you from pursuing mental health, look at the facts and realize that it’s normal to need help and remember that anything discussed with a licensed mental health care professional is confidential.

You may feel that your symptoms are not so extreme that you would hurt yourself and use this as justification not to seek support. But this is like saying you won’t see a doctor for that persistent pain in your chest because you’re not having an immediate heart attack. A mental health care professional can provide assistance in alleviating your symptoms before they become real problems.

If you knew of a way you could improve your quality of life, why wouldn’t you take it?