A new way to access mental health professionals | AD

Below is some information that I think is hugely important to those who are in need of therapy or just someone to talk to. Talkspace provides a new way to do this and we both have corroborated to bring you this post below.

Talkspace: A new way to access mental health professionals

Founded in 2012 by Oren Frank, Talkspace provides a new service which allows users to connect with therapists and mental health professionals through a smartphone app.

Talkspace has been growing recently, boasting 500,000 users as of November 2017. The company recently struck a deal with medical insurance provider Magellan Health. Magellan Health wants to be able to provide app based therapy to its clients, and soon people who receive their health insurance through Magellan Health will be able to use the Talkspace service as part of their insurance plan.

By changing the way clients and therapists are able to interact, Talkspace has broken new ground in the world of mental health care. The platform allows professional therapists to reach out to clients through text throughout the day. It also allows users to interact with their therapists face to face using video chatting.

Talkspace users and therapists operate asynchronous to one another, allowing access to therapy at any time of day, which is especially useful for people who are too busy to visit a therapist’s office.

Talkspace is currently jumping the hurdles that come with offering online therapy, training their health professionals to be able to properly communicate the empathy required for therapy to work through the text messages.

Oren, the CEO of Talkspace and a former mental health professional, hopes that, among other things, the spread of online therapy will remove the harmful stigma that is associated with seeking and receiving mental health care.

Anxiety won't kill you

The other day I took on the biggest personal challenge of my life so far...I had a really important assessment day for my dream future career in the public service. I have wanted do this particular career for my whole entire life and as of yet, I don't know whether I have been successful...but I am not feeling too confident. Needless to say it was one of the most nerve-racking situations of my life, if not - the most nerve wracking. I didn't feel too nervous for the actual day, it came over me more when I started the first exam.  

The assessment comprised of many different tasks, to which the first one led to me panicking mainly because it was the first task of the day and I didn't know what to expect. But, I tried to not let this affect my future progress because I had a long day ahead of me. As time went on, the anxiety reduced. However the two biggest tasks; the interview and the role-play were looming and even though I was there in the building every inch of my body was telling me to run and that there was no possible way for me to get through it. It came down to the role-play and I can honestly say that at that moment, stood outside the door and waiting for the buzzer was the most nerve wracking experience of my life or at least it felt like it at the time. If you've been a reader for a long time, you'll know that I have had anxiety for many years and I used to have a severity of anxiety that meant I couldn't leave the house and if I came anywhere near it, I would have a complete, out of control, meltdown and panic. In that moment standing outside of that door however, I had that feeling of wanting to run away. My heart was in my throat and it was a type of anxiety I don't think I have ever felt before. I think I felt such a way because usually by that point of severity of anxiety, it would've been expressed in a panic attack. But at that moment I couldn't. I was surrounded by other candidates, officers, actors and assessors. It was not the time and it took everything for me to maintain my composure. As a result I felt a type of severe anxiety that couldn't have any release and in that way, I just had to let it wash over me and it was exactly that. I literally felt the anxiety wash over and through me rather then letting it build up in tension. It's almost difficult to explain, but because I couldn't do anything to reduce it, I just had to make peace with it in some way. 

Knowing that I went through a situation of extreme anxiety and rather than running away like I always used to do, I stuck with it. It surprised me and I am extremely proud that I managed to do it. I'm not sure I could experience a level of anxiety much higher which provides me with the confidence that I can face many more challenges than I first ever thought I could. It just reinstated to me that if you think about it, you have survived every day so far, even those you thought you could never make it through. 

Never miss your medication

I'm sure for all of you who have experienced taking any type of medication, missing a day or two can really mess with your system, especially when it comes down to medication for your mental health, so this is your reminder to take your medication!

I have been on my mental health medication for around three to four years now and I can definitely tell when I have missed a day, or two, or three...the problem is I often forget to leave it somewhere that I regularly see in the morning. Really, I should put the medication in a place where I will know that I will take it and I advise you to do that also! For example, in the bathroom, near your hairbrush or even by your car keys. 

When I miss my medication for a few days I experience dizziness, the feeling of being spaced-out, lack of concentration, sickness and headaches. I don't feel that my mood changes that much unless I have missed my medication for a few days, not on purpose, but just out of forgetfulness. After a few days I do notice a change in my mood, which can be quite severe. I'll often face increased anxiety and depression and even suicidal thoughts. I remember the times when I have been extremely irrational and it has been scary because you feel completely out of control. I won't go into detail of the exact experiences, but just remember to take the medication! I think if I was to come off my medication more slowly, I would be able to control the reduction rather than going cold turkey and I think that is what causes the problems when medication is missed. 

If this post reminds you of anything, please remember to take your medication as there is nothing to be ashamed of and missing medication for a long time can have adverse effects. However, I am aware that certain medication itself can cause increased anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, but even so it is never advised to go completely cold turkey. Remember to follow your doctor's advice. 

What are your experiences?