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MindSG

Explore our suite of self-care tips and tools designed to help you achieve better mental well-being.

It's OKAY to
reach out

With the daily demands in our lives, we may sometimes feel stressed, worried, or even sad. These emotions are commonly experienced by all of us and we are not alone in facing them. When we feel overwhelmed, we can always reach out.

 
 
 

What it means
to reach out

Connecting with others

Reaching out can mean getting connected to someone we trust. It could be a friend, a loved one, or even a healthcare professional.

When we talk about our thoughts and feelings with someone else, we often realise that we are not alone. It helps us feel better, and to see things from a different point of view. This is especially helpful when things seem overwhelming.

Seeking out tips for self-care

There may be times when we prefer to manage on our own, and when we do, we could reach out for tips and resources on self-care and coping skills.

If you’d like to do a self-check-in to know when you should reach out for support, read more about these signs.

Supporting others

We also play an important role in supporting others. Pick up conversation tips here that can help us support those around us when they approach us for help.

Through empathy and care, we can support those we care about.

Why is it
important to reach out for support?

There are different ways we can reach out. We can read up on self-care tips, text a loved one, have a chat with a healthcare professional, or lend a helping hand to others.

Whatever method we choose, reaching out for support can help us in the following ways:

What are the common signs that we should be reaching out for support?

Managing daily routines and dealing with uncertainty can bring about stress. While some stress is good, too much stress over a prolonged period can be unhealthy. Here are some signs to alert us when to reach out for support:

negative emotions

When we feel that our physical health is starting to be affected

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feeling stressed

When we feel that we are experiencing mood swings

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feeling overwhelmed

When we start having negative thoughts

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When we feel that we are going through changes in our behaviour

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Overcoming the concerns of reaching out

We may be hesitant about reaching out. Let’s learn how to overcome some of the common concerns that hold us back from seeking the support we need.

Overcoming the concern of judgement

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Overcoming the concern of rejection or disappointment

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Overcoming the concern of uncertainty

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How to
reach out for support?

Learn how we can reach out for support using the tips below.

Build our support system

Choose a good time and place

Acknowledge our feelings

Accept what we don’t know

Be direct

Expect different reactions

Build our support system

Stay connected with a group of people we can turn to when we need support. People in our support system could be made up of a close friend, a family member or even a healthcare professional whom we feel comfortable reaching out to.

How to reach out to support those around us?

Support works both ways. At times, we may need the support of others. At other times, the roles may switch, and we may become someone else’s pillar of support instead.

It is, therefore, important for us to also learn how to support the people around us and those we care for.

Types of mental
health professionals

There are different types of mental health care professionals who can help when someone needs mental health support.

Counsellors

They help clients develop skills, guide them on how to access resources and tap on support services for multifaceted issues. If needed, they will also talk to family members or caregivers to better support the clients.

A counsellor may also plan and implement assistance programmes for their clients.

Clinical Psychologists

They provide psychological assessments and diagnoses for various mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.). They can also treat the conditions with various psychological interventions, which can include talk therapies.

They provide a safe space for patients to effectively address the mental health conditions they are currently facing. Guidance and coping skills are also offered and taught to help the patient. A clinical psychologist may make a referral to a psychiatrist if he/she deems that medical treatment is needed.

Psychiatrists

Similar to clinical psychologists, psychiatrists are also mental health specialists who diagnose mental health conditions and manage treatment. However, a key difference is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication as they are medical doctors, while clinical psychologists cannot.

Psychiatrists may also make referrals to a psychologist for psychological interventions.

Seek mental health resources & services

Not sure where to seek support?
Trying the tool below can help us find suitable support for our needs.

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MindSG