At a party, you’re talking with a friend about what’s going on in their life. Suddenly, their tone becomes hushed and they say, “I’ve gone to see a therapist recently for the problem I’m having.” Why did your friend feel the need to talk about going to see a therapist in hushed tones? Probably because there’s a stigma in mental health.
Seeing a therapist automatically means there’s something wrong with you, when in reality seeing a therapist is completely normal. You don’t have to be suffering from a serious mental issue to get help from a professional. If your child is dealing with an issue that they need to speak to someone other than you about, consider sending them to a therapist or psychiatric professional.
Celebrities pushing down the stigma in mental health
As someone who was in the spotlight from a young age, Keira Knightley found herself overwhelmed by criticism about her body shape by the media.
In a recent article by ELLE magazine, Knightley opened up about going to see a therapist in her 20s, breaking the stigma in mental health around therapists. “I’ve totally done therapy. I highly recommend it. I don’t do it at the moment. But in my early 20s, when I found everything completely
overwhelming, 100 percent, I did it,” Knightley said in ELLE. “I think when you’re in those moments in your life and you want to get through them … you have to do whatever it is to help you get over it. You have to give it a go. Try anything that might help.”
In the article, Knightley admits to having been painfully shy earlier in her life. She was surrounded by people she looked up to and tried hard to please. Going to see a therapist, combined with the experience gained by the passage of time helped Knightley overcome these fears.
By owning up to seeing a therapist, Knightley is helping break the stigma in mental health around seeing a mental health professional.
Other helpful options
If therapy alone isn’t enough for your daughter or son, consider sending them to a wilderness therapy program.
Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program for adolescents ages 10-17, offers an adventure-based therapeutic program that helps teens overcome emotional and behavioral struggles.
For more information about Trails Carolina and how we can help your child beat the stigma in mental health, please call us today at 800-975-7303.
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Trails saved my daughter’s life. Amanda is an amazing human and a brilliant therapist. I am so grateful to her, Science Steve, and the other wonderful people who could reach my daughter at a time when I could not.
Margot Lowman August 2022
Great life changing experience for our son. After becoming addicted to gaming during covid he was very depressed. At Trails he experienced the wilderness, Science Steve, learning survival skills and top notch therapy and support etc… I highly recommend! This gave our son and our family a renewed family bond full of love and excitement about his bright future.
Winnifred Wilson July 2022
Outstanding clinical work and superb staff! There’s a great culture at this company and it shows with how they engage with families/clients.
Kristin Brace June 2022
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