Debunking Myths & Sharing Insights from an RN (May)

Feeling stressed from time to time is a normal part of life. Stress often has a clear trigger, like a busy season at work, family pressure, money concerns, or a big change. It may feel like tension, irritability, trouble sleeping, headaches, or feeling overwhelmed. Usually, normal stress improves when the situation settles down, when you rest, or when you get support.

Anxiety or depression may be different. Anxiety can feel like constant worry, racing thoughts, panic, trouble relaxing, or feeling on edge even when nothing urgent is happening. Depression can feel like sadness, emptiness, low energy, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, guilt, or feeling hopeless. A helpful question is: “Is this getting in the way of my daily life, relationships, work, or health?”

It is encouraged not to wait until things feel unbearable. If these feelings last more than a couple of weeks, keep coming back, or make it hard to function, it is a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider or mental health professional. And if you ever feel like you might hurt yourself or you do not feel safe, seek help right away by calling or texting 988, going to the nearest emergency room, or calling 911.

It can feel hard to reach out when you are worried about someone. Many people stay quiet because they are afraid of making things awkward or saying the wrong thing. It is recommended to offer simple, caring support rather than saying nothing at all. You do not need the perfect words. A calm, honest sentence like, “I’ve noticed you seem like you’ve had a lot on your mind lately. I care about you, and I’m here,” can mean a lot.

Try to listen more than you talk. Avoid jumping in with advice, quick fixes, or comments like “just stay positive.” Instead, ask open questions: “How have you been feeling?” or “Do you want to talk about what’s been going on?” If they share something hard, thank them for telling you. You can say, “That sounds really heavy,” or “I’m glad you told me.” The goal is not to solve everything in one conversation. The goal is to help them feel less alone.

If you are worried they may hurt themselves or they seem unsafe, take it seriously. Ask directly, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Asking does not put the idea in their head. It can open the door to getting help. Stay with them if you can, involve a trusted person, and call or text 988 for support. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.