The truth about millennials and therapy
By Kiandra of The KiWord — original post here.
I remember my first experience. I was nervous at the thought of sharing heavy emotions with a stranger. My baggage was too heavy to toss on family and even my closest friends, yet still too personal to let an outsider in on it. I felt stuck but knew it was an option worth trying. Long overdue, I finally built up the courage to book an appointment; and within five minutes of sitting on the couch, soft enough for a good afternoon nap, the tears began to roll and my life forever changed.
*Inserts praise break here.*
Of all the trendy things that people latch onto in this day and age, therapy has been one of the most positive I’ve seen. The content we like to see. The effect of people sharing their experiences has convinced many others, including myself, to give therapy a try. But are millennials prioritizing mental health as much as we put on?
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
Yes, we are. According to a study done by Blue Cross Blue Shield, depression is the number 1 condition affecting millennials’ health. On a daily, we are exposed to so much that I’m not surprised. Even many of my friends feel pretty stuck right now. However, we are the generation that will drop a job in a heartbeat if we are unhappy. While the number of millennials seeking therapy is increasing, many depressed Millennials have yet to try.
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Money. Millennials are stressed AF. Period. We are not where we want to be financially and for some, even physically, and it has us pulling hairs. Simple as that. Transitioning from college and into the working field takes a toll on the emotions of many, leaving Millennials to settle for jobs in the meantime. Furthermore, the bulk of our generation feels overworked and underpaid. Often, all our options leave us overwhelmed!
And don’t get me started on the idea of being close to 30 and feeling like your life is nowhere near what you envisioned. Combine all these things with the boulder of social media and, Houston we have a problem. Comparisons arise and the imposter syndrome kicks in. We know that therapy is a possible option, but the cost makes it seem quite impossible.
WHERE DO YOU START?
For me, my therapy journey started with an in-person therapist. While we are here, please note that seeing a psychologist is quite different from meeting with a psychiatrist, as shown here. Therapy ranges from in-person meetings to apps such as TalkSpace, that connect you with a therapist that you can talk to throughout the week via text and audio. As a person that gave both a try, there are pros and cons to both and it is up to you to decide what works. Knowing that money is such a huge factor, and probably an even bigger one now, some options may include
Connecting with your employer: many jobs offer counselors and plans that sometimes offer a set amount of free sessions for employees
Therapy for Black girls: This is where I found my first therapist. This site provides you with an amazing list of therapists (hopefully) in your area. TFBG provides each therapist’s site so you can see which insurance providers they accept. It also helps determine the best match for your needs.
Meditation/Mindful apps: So therapy might just be out of the question at the moment and that is understandable. Having an app like Insight timer, Calm or Headspace are all perfect go-tos to check out. They provide guided-meditations and more to conquer your day and ultimately, life.
In summary, millennials are depressed. Yes, but we are aware of it and making an effort to do “the work”. If you have been affected by the times, know that you are not alone. We will all get through this and don’t hesitate to get the help you need.
If you’ve ever been to therapy what has been your biggest lesson?
Until next time,
Ki.