Emotional and Mental Health

Being mentally healthy means feeling reasonably good about yourself and others. It does not mean feeling good all the time; no one does. If these everyday feelings begin to interfere with your normal activities, they may be warning signs of emotional problems. These warning signs include:

• Sudden changes in mood or behavior.
• Depression, prolonged unhappiness, withdrawal from friends and activities.
• Anxiety, strong feelings of uneasiness, fear or imagined danger.
• Unfounded physical complaints.
• Not working up to potential in school or sports.
• Frequent changes in friends.

Sometimes, friends and relatives who are good listeners can help you make decisions about your life and help you cope with overwhelming emotions. Trust your feelings and find someone who makes you feel comfortable. Emotional problems are not hopeless or incurable. Problems can be solved faster with the help of others.

If your problems seem too difficult or personal to discuss with a friend or relative, then you may need professional counseling. Counseling is a confidential opportunity to discuss personal issues with someone you can trust. You explain to the counselor how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way. In the process of explaining those feelings, you can learn how to understand yourself better and find better ways of dealing with confusing emotions.

Mental health centers, family service agencies, and other organizations provide counseling on issues such as:

• Drug or alcohol misuse and abuse.
• Sexuality.
• Peer pressure.
• Depression or anxiety.

Some agencies allow counselors to see a teenager without parental permission. Call first to determine the policies, ask about special services for teens, and fees and appointment times.

Remember, do not let anything keep you from getting the help you deserve. Family service agencies can provide individual and family counseling. Please call for information or appointments:

• Department of Social Services
  • (605) 347-2588
• Lutheran social Services 
  • (605) 644-0826
• Catholic Social Services
  • (800) 727-2401
• Crisis Intervention Shelter
  • (605) 347-0050
  • (800) 755-8432