Help Does Not Require a Diagnosis First
Launch library · evergreen read
Some people delay reaching out because they feel they need a clear label for what they are experiencing before they are allowed to ask for help. This is not the case. Support services exist for anyone finding things hard, whether or not there is a formal diagnosis attached.
You do not need to be in crisis, and you do not need to have the right words prepared. A conversation can begin simply with I am not sure what is going on, but I have not been myself lately, and that is more than enough reason to reach out.
Lifeline is available on 13 11 14 at any hour, without any need for a diagnosis or a specific reason. The Suicide Call Back Service can also be reached on 1300 659 467. This tends to feel harder in anticipation than it does once it actually begins. What counts here is genuine attention, not a particular set of words.