One of the many things needing overhauling in our mental health system. I avoided seeking help for a long time because I was interested in jobs that would likely require government security clearances, and (I don't know how true this is) I had heard from multiple sources that a history of seeking help for mental health issues may disqualify you. Which is a little backwards in practice. If there's an issue I want to address it and manage it. Because of my desire for those jobs, I let the problem fester for longer.
I also found when I finally broke down and sought help (not for suicide, granted) the process of trying to take advantage of my company's resources like paying for short-term counseling, etc. was incredibly frustrating. You couldn't get a hold of the people at the company we paid for the plan, everything on their site was outdated and badly maintained, they only covered certain therapists, and they happened to be therapists who make a point of specializing in treating pretty much anything with drugs, etc. Had I been on the edge of suicide or unable to eventually just pay for the care I needed directly, I can only imagine trying to navigate this process could've finished me off, emotionally.
Company resources are next to useless. They are meant to be short term and are encouraged to turn you around in a few sessions. If you can, go private, since it's more open ended and the process of over over the basics of your life story are tedious.
Agreed. I eventually found a very good counselor for my situation.
But I'm extremely fortunate that I'm both very well off and wasn't suicidal. And it was very apparent to me that if I was different in either respect, I perhaps wouldn't have been able to turn things around.
> I was interested in jobs that would likely require government security clearances, and (I don't know how true this is) I had heard from multiple sources that a history of seeking help for mental health issues may disqualify you
FWIW, you heard correct. This is true. (I don’t have any clearances myself, but I did work for a major defense contractor in the past, and a family member has some sort of above-top-secret clearance for his work.)
I also found when I finally broke down and sought help (not for suicide, granted) the process of trying to take advantage of my company's resources like paying for short-term counseling, etc. was incredibly frustrating. You couldn't get a hold of the people at the company we paid for the plan, everything on their site was outdated and badly maintained, they only covered certain therapists, and they happened to be therapists who make a point of specializing in treating pretty much anything with drugs, etc. Had I been on the edge of suicide or unable to eventually just pay for the care I needed directly, I can only imagine trying to navigate this process could've finished me off, emotionally.