For many people, asking for help can be one of the hardest steps to take. Stress, financial pressures, family challenges, loneliness, and uncertainty can all affect our mental and emotional well-being, yet stigma can sometimes prevent people from seeking the support they need.
As Catholic Charities of New York recognizes World Mental Health Day, Jessica Yang, a therapist at Droste Mental Health Services, an agency of Catholic Charities, is encouraging New Yorkers to make mental health awareness part of their everyday lives and remember that asking for help is never a failure.
Awareness Starts with Paying Attention
For Yang, mental health begins with awareness.
“Awareness is the key to mental health,” she said.
That can mean paying attention to our thoughts, recognizing our stressors, and noticing when something feels different or more difficult than usual.
Sometimes, that awareness comes from recognizing that our reactions feel stronger than they normally would. A situation we might typically be able to handle may suddenly feel overwhelming. For Yang, those moments can be an indication that it may be helpful to talk with someone.
For some, stress may appear as anxiety or persistent worry. For others, it can contribute to depression or feelings of wanting to give up.
Yang encourages people to pay attention to changes in themselves and to trust the feeling that something may be “off.”
Yang noted that someone who is “50-50” about getting support may already be recognizing that something deserves attention. Concerns about cost, how to find help or whether counseling will be the right fit can all contribute to hesitation.
That is why making mental health services accessible and creating spaces where people feel comfortable asking questions is so important.
Challenging the Stigma Around Mental Health
Mental health stigma can make people feel as though seeking counseling means they are weak or have failed. Jessica wants to challenge that idea.
“If you need help, you seek help,” she said.
Reaching out for information does not mean someone is committing to therapy. It can simply be the first step toward learning about available resources and determining what kind of support may be appropriate.
Mental health support is important at every stage of life, including childhood and adolescence.
Yang explained that emotional ups and downs are a normal part of growing up, but parents and caregivers can pay attention to how those struggles affect a child’s everyday life. If emotional or interpersonal challenges begin interfering with a child’s ability to function — for example, if academic stress or difficulties at school become so overwhelming that they no longer want to attend school — additional support may be helpful.
Early counseling can give young people tools to understand and process their emotions, helping them navigate challenges in the present while developing skills they can carry into the future.
Making Mental Health Care More Accessible
For Yang, one of the most meaningful aspects of her work at Droste is the connection between mental health services and community support.
Through its partnership with Catholic Charities of New York, Droste has been able to expand access to counseling for young people who otherwise may not have been able to receive therapy. Jessica shared that the partnership supported more than 800 counseling sessions at Droste over the past year, serving approximately 80 to 100 students.
Practicing Awareness Every Day
Mental health care does not only happen in a counseling office. Yang encourages people to practice awareness throughout their everyday lives.
That can mean slowing down and noticing what is happening internally, how we feel, what we are thinking and how our experiences affect us.
Even something as simple as enjoying a meal can become an opportunity to practice intentional awareness: noticing how your body feels, what emotions arise and what those feelings may be telling you.
For Yang, those small moments of awareness can help people make more intentional decisions and support their long-term mental and emotional well-being.
“We’re Here to Help”
The most important message Yang wants to share is simple: reach out.
“Utilize us, use us. Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid. We’re here to help,” Jessica said.
This World Mental Health Day, Catholic Charities of New York encourages New Yorkers to take a moment to check in with themselves and the people around them. Recognizing when support may be needed, and having the courage to ask for it, can be an important step toward greater well-being.
As Yang reminds us, asking for help is not a failure. Sometimes, it is the first step toward feeling better.
