Public opinion can often have a significant impact on an individual’s choice. This holds especially true for counselling, a practice that has brought with it a social stigma of a different sort. People in the past were often ridiculed because they chose to seek professional help, a stigma that carried on through the generations. The consequences of these actions resulted in difficulty for many of the youth to approach counselling with a positive mindset.
Thankfully, this modern era has brought with it a much more progressive outlook on counselling. We are seeing more and more examples of media integrating counselling into the narrative, showing younger generations how anyone and everyone can take advantage of the benefits of professional counselling.
It won’t do any of us any good to point fingers now. What’s enough is to know that people suffering from mental disorders were given a wide berth. What’s worse is that people suffering from emotional struggles were lumped in as well, especially since society didn’t comprehend ideas like trauma, depression, and anxiety.
In effect, all of these stigmas and misinformation stem from the fact that people just didn’t understand. In fact, further back in history, we can see examples of writings stating that these individuals were suffering their afflictions because they had sinned, were possessed, or a combination of the two. This would lead to a generational problem that would persist up until the 21st century.
It should be stated that significant steps have been taken in inclusivity. We are already learning the correct language to use, how to create safe spaces, and a few other ways we can make socializing easier for individuals suffering from mental disorders. However, we’ve got a long way to go to change how society perceives these individuals completely.
It is highly recommended to follow through with counselling, regardless of whether negative stereotypes exist in your area or not. We understand that it is much easier to say this than to act on it, but we would emphasize that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. The point of counselling is to provide a long-term solution to your mental disorder. Unlike medicines that have a set dose that fits into a schedule, counselling can provide you with the tools to address your own problems in the future.
What also helps is that, as more and more people accept counselling to be a regular thing, you will be able to find support groups that can help you out. This is particularly effective if you are able to find a support group for individuals with similar conditions to your own. In this way, you can help and be helped by people who understand what you’re going through.
With all that said, It can be a little confusing for some people as sometimes what they’re feeling is temporary. Nevertheless, if you feel that you are spending at least an hour thinking about or feel embarrassed about what you’re feeling, those could be big signs of someone who needs counselling.
At the end of the day, your priority should be yourself. It’s easy to get distracted by the opinion of others, but counselling is something that can benefit most people. It’s all about preparing you to face the different stressors in society, and enabling you to perform to the best of your capabilities.
Are you looking for counselling services in Cambridge, Ontario? If so, Chettiar Counselling & Associates is here to help. If you suspect that your teen is experiencing issues, it is best to act as soon as possible. We assist in managing anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. Reach out to us today!
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