Have you ever heard of a mental health mentor? How about a mentor for depression? While you may go to therapy, there’s still an entire day ahead of you. Therapy is still a great way to help you manage your depression. But it takes more than therapy to get through a day.
When you think of a mentor, usually, you may think about children and school or achieving a career. However, mentoring can pertain to mental health as well. Depression affects millions of people around the world. And while we push therapy as the most helpful tool, there’s still twenty-three hours left to manage.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2020, there was a 66.0% estimate of U.S. adults that received treatment for their major depressive episodes. We finally see an uptick in people taking their depression seriously, and however, managing it is an ongoing battle.
With the proper support, many find a way to improve their way of thinking, believing, and feeling. And managing their depression becomes more manageable because they have the right tools there. However, what happens to those who lack the support they need to get to the next level? These are the people who have little to no family support, no friend support, and find themselves on their own.
Such things as support programs and groups can help because they give you a place to interact with others. Yet, for daily interactions, this may not be the only option for you. You may do better with one-on-one as with your therapist. And here’s where having a mentor for your depression could help immensely.
The benefits of having a mental health mentor
We all need someone to talk to on those days when there’s no one around. Mentors can help a person struggling with their daily depression alongside therapy. How? Most mentors understand where you are coming from because they’ve been there or have experience with someone who has.
There are great benefits from having this form of support.
A mental health mentor can support with isolation
When it comes to depression, you may feel isolated or alone often. Spending time in your head may be more comfortable than opening up to someone other than your therapist. By having a mentor around, you have a trusted person that can give you a safe place. They can provide you with the emotional support system that you may be missing. They become that confidant that will help you fight those feelings of isolation.
Provides a listening ear
Part of managing your depression is talking about it. However, most of us don’t call our therapist every two seconds when in need of chatting. And because this is the case, you may find yourself holding on to more. Your mentor is there to be that listening ear you need in those situations where you need to talk. As you build your relationship, you become more confident in sharing with them.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should take advantage of their space. Mentors are there to listen and help you through the situation you may be facing at the moment.
Increases positive reinforcement
Something that people who are dealing with depression need more of is positive reinforcement. When most of your thoughts are based on negative beliefs, it can be hard to think positively about yourself. You may struggle to see yourself in a more confident and uplifting way. You’ve learned techniques in therapy such as cognitive thinking that can help while extra support can advance it further.
With the right mentor, you can receive that extra support. Your mentor is there to encourage you to be more than what you see. They can contribute to an increase in your confidence and self-esteem. And they will challenge you to think outside of the box. By helping you improve your self-esteem, they are helping you improve your mental health.
Provides hope for the future
For those dealing with depression, the feeling of fear and anxiety about their future can be a struggle. You may feel more connected with the sense of failure and detachment than success and achievement. And this can leave you staying in your comfort zone, unwilling to grow.
A mentor will guide you through setting achievable goals for yourself. These goals can be centered around several things that will help you see your full potential.
Now that you know the benefits of having a mental health mentor, how do you find the right one for you?
5 steps in finding the right mental health mentor for you
When picking a mental health mentor for yourself, you don’t want to pick just anyone. Like your therapist, you want a mentor that you feel comfortable with, and you want someone you can connect with, willing to share.
So, before you ask someone to be your mentor or go to a mentorship program, here are five steps to think about.
Understand what you want and if you’re ready
Before asking someone to be your mentor, it’s always best to be prepared. Understand what it means to have someone mentor you with your depression. Once you know what comes with having a mentor, you can figure out what you want.
You may want to start by writing down what it is about managing your depression you need help with. Maybe you need someone to talk to two or three times a week about working on life goals. Or perhaps you need someone to encourage you to try new things. By figuring out what it is you would like from your mentor, you can better understand what you’re looking for.
Take the time and do your research
When it comes to mentoring, remember that this is an investment in yourself. And because it’s an investment, you want to make sure you have what benefits you. By taking time researching mentors, you can better understand what they have to offer you. You can also try making a visit or contacting a mentorship and asking them some of your questions.
By getting all the information about how mentoring works, you’ll be better prepared when you’re ready to take the next step. Take the time you need to find what’s right for you and manage your depression.
When you’re ready then ask someone to be your mental health mentor
Once you’ve figured it out, you’re ready to ask someone to be your mental health mentor. If you have someone in mind that you feel fits well, then don’t be afraid to step out and ask. However, make a list of five people you know that could help. This way, you have others to fall back on if your first choice is not up for the mission.
There’s also mentorship programs that you can sign up for. With mentorships, they are equipped with pairing you with the person who’s right for you. By taking your list of what you want to achieve from mentoring to them, they can analyze your needs and pair you with the right mentor.
Do your part and be willing to listen to your mental health mentor
Although a mentor is there for you, part of helping is giving feedback and guidance. So as the mentee, being open to listening and taking in this guidance is vital. When both parties of the mentoring listen to each other, it makes for a healthier relationship. And be sure that it’s guidance from them and not delegating. Your mentoring is mainly for you to take the lead on managing your depression easier.
Make sure your mental health mentor is just as invested as you
After working with your mentor for a few weeks, it’s okay to observe how they work with you. This is your time to see how invested they are in helping you with your depression. If you feel you’re not getting what you need out of the mentoring, you may want to ask some questions.
By opening the conversation about your concerns, you can make adjustments. Remember that they’re there to help you, so don’t be afraid to have a chat. And if you find that nothing has changed, it’s okay to part ways and find another mentor. Remind yourself that you’re investing in your mental health and want the very best.
Conclusion
You can never go wrong with having additional help for your depression. And considering having a mentor could be the next step in helping you further manage it. As you read, mentors can guide you, can be a listening ear, and the possibility of a longtime friend.
Are you struggling to manage your depression these days? What are your thoughts on peer mentors? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Have you taken a personal growth journey and would like to share? Write for me and share your Success story.
Want to know more about what you missed? Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a post again. Also, grab your free downloadable self-care planner.
Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive. And NOTHING’s Impossible!!!
Very interesting. I had never thought about a Mental Health Mentor, but it makes perfect sense. Also a poignant and timely post. Funny how that works. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Aspen for reading my post. It truly does work out well now. With so many people struggling with their mental health, having someone who can help you through it alongside your therapist or support group can do wonders.
Such a great read and it’s so needed!! Love the fact that you touched on the importance of doing research before getting a mentor. It’s so important to do research on what a mental healtb mentor is and what it should involve before seeking one out.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read, Rebekah :). And yes I completely agree. Research saves a ton of disappointment and hurt.