Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#1

Post by NoReg » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 5:40 PM UTC

In the new year, do you have any plans to enhance your mental well-being? I'm curious about everyone's preferences when it comes to working with a counselor.

Would you prefer 1) speaking to a counselor on-demand for a single session when experiencing a panic attack or a terrible event, or 2) would you opt for an extended, long-term plan with the same counselor over multiple sessions?

Option 1: "Choose to pay only for individual sessions as needed. Focus on managing your current situation and learning emotional regulation. Each session guides you through coping strategies, creating a progressive journey."

Option 2: "Opt for a long-term plan involving a financial commitment, working consistently with the same counselor. This option delves into your personal life to identify root causes of emotional issues and offers treatment based on a thorough diagnosis."

Please feel free to post your thoughts. Thank you :)

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#2

Post by bsdmeister » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 5:57 PM UTC

Nice one!

Short answer: I am currently doing option 2.

Long answer:

I would say it depends on your mental condition(s). There are some conditions, specially transient ones where you could get some "as you go" counseling, apply the recommendations and review if needed. Others like depression, ADHD, GAD, etc I would recommend (based on experience as ADHD+GAD patient) to stick to a long-term commitment.

Taking myself as an example, currently I have a "subscription model" with my counselor/therapist where I pay in advance for a specific number of sessions and get 20% discount from normal session price. It is important for me to really identify the deeper issues as well organize the inner complications of living with ADHD + GAD, also important for accountability as in my case the therapist gives some "tasks" to me in a weekly basis.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#3

Post by NoReg » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:19 PM UTC

bsdmeister wrote: post #2

Nice one! Short answer: I am currently doing option 2. Long answer: I would say it depends on your mental condition(s). There are some conditions, specially transient ones where you could get some "as you go" counseling, apply the recommendations and review if needed. Others like depression, ADHD, GAD, etc I would recommend (based on experience as ADHD+GAD patient) to stick to a long-term commitment. Taking myself as…

Great response!!! Thank you for sharing your user experience.

Option 1) is designed for individuals with light to moderate mental health needs, dealing with common emotional issues like anxiety, stress, and depression typically coming from our daily lives such as careers, relationships, and lifestyles. Using immediate conversations with a counselor to promptly address and move past your emotions, allows you to refocus on your daily life quickly. While it may not be suitable for deep-seated issues or diagnosed illnesses that require long-term treatment and scheduled appointments, it can serve as a temporary immediate solution when calendar scheduling and waiting are not ideal.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#4

Post by giantg2 » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 8:32 PM UTC

I take care of it by largely ignoring it.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#5

Post by NoReg » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 8:38 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #4

I take care of it by largely ignoring it.

Yeah, I've been there too in the past. Two-thirds of the population in the U.S. have never used counseling before, and mental well-being often gets neglected. Maybe consider giving it a try in 2024? That's where Option 1 can be an excellent introductory experience for first-time users.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#6

Post by yhavr » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 9:22 PM UTC

> How would you take care of your mental well-being?

Practicing/developing own philosophy, similar by the vibes to stoicism/buddhism, so I don't get broken enough to require a mechanic to fix me.

I find it very funny that nations who brag about having "science" and "technologies", proudly dismiss religion, but yet unable to come up with anything comparable to philosophical or religious systems, not talking about 100x improvements that terabytes of "scientific knowledge" bring.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#7

Post by giantg2 » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 9:28 PM UTC

NoReg wrote: post #5

giantg2 wrote: post #4

I take care of it by largely ignoring it.

Yeah, I've been there too in the past. Two-thirds of the population in the U.S. have never used counseling before, and mental well-being often gets neglected. Maybe consider giving it a try in 2024? That's where Option 1 can be an excellent introductory experience for first-time users.

Nah, I've done marriage counseling before. It can help change perspective/mindset, but doesn't change reality. There are always choices, but sometimes the best choice is to just trudge on since all the choices come with a price.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#8

Post by cl42 » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 10:00 PM UTC

Neither.

Option 3: Opt for a long-term plan involving a counsellor trained in Adlerian psychology. It's not about delving into past life experiences but about working on emotion regulation, promotional thinking, etc. about the present and future.

Sounds like you might be working on a product here. I can't find good Adlerian psychologists/counsellor and I am willing to pay for a good one.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#9

Post by NoReg » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 10:12 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #7

NoReg wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I've been there too in the past. Two-thirds of the population in the U.S. have never used counseling before, and mental well-being often gets neglected. Maybe consider giving it a try in 2024? That's where Option 1 can be an excellent introductory experience for first-time users.

Nah, I've done marriage counseling before. It can help change perspective/mindset, but doesn't change reality. There are always choices, but sometimes the best choice is to just trudge on since all the choices come with a price.

Absolutely. Counseling services are very expensive. Changing my perspective/mindset to regulate my emotions is exactly what I used it for. I have been in those emotional moments but the reality needs me to move on quickly. So, I have to reach out to the counselors for a quick solution for the emotion, not changing the realities.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take care of your mental well-being?

#10

Post by NoReg » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 10:17 PM UTC

yhavr wrote: post #6

> How would you take care of your mental well-being? Practicing/developing own philosophy, similar by the vibes to stoicism/buddhism, so I don't get broken enough to require a mechanic to fix me. I find it very funny that nations who brag about having "science" and "technologies", proudly dismiss religion, but yet unable to come up with anything comparable to philosophical or religious systems, not talking about 100x…

I believe it is quite an advanced field involving neuroscience and human emotions. Hard to diagnose, treat, and measure. Not enough scientific research has been done in this field, and far from coming up with any solution. I guess we normally do not pay enough attention to our mental well-being. But, I always feel managing emotions and stabilizing our feelings is a great place to start.