Breaking the stigma that it’s not OK to ask for help

Attending the Family Strong event put on by Downrange Warriors and Veterans Talking to Veterans last week has made me spend more time with my own thoughts about why people don’t reach out for help when going through personal struggles.

Is it pride? Is it shame? Is it the fear that no one would understand or that they would think less of you?

I know that I am guilty of people coming up to me and asking me how I am doing or feeling and my natural response automatically being to smile and say, “I’m fine” and move forward with the conversation by changing the subject away from how I am really doing or feeling.

This “fake it ‘til you make it” reaction only covers issues to others for so long, and what if they really do just want to help because they care about you?

The idea that this two-day event had was to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with one another in the community so that we feel comfortable enough with each other to admit when we need help.

We all get so busy in our daily lives that we distract ourselves with other things and don’t prioritize our mental health or the struggles of those around us.

If anyone else is like me, I can be pretty oblivious or naive about problems surrounding me, and I think if we just opened our eyes a little wider to seek ways or opportunities to support someone, it could have the potential to be really impactful.

On the opposite side of that, I know I have been in situations where I felt like I should have opened my mouth and said something when I was going through personal hard times.

I told myself to “Suck it up, buttercup” or simply thought I just had to deal with it, and that’s just how it had to be.

While the event didn’t have all of the answers to solve the world’s problems, the simple theme of “What can I do to help create positive change?” has lingered on my mind.

So, I guess that’s why I took the opportunity to write this column and throw out the idea to the community that it is OK to ask for help when you need it, and if we each make more of a conscious effort to sincerely care how each of us is doing, our town unity and bond can continue to grow in support.

It doesn’t have to just be major tragic events that occur for why our communities rally together to help our own.