Finding Strenght in Seeking Help: My Journey with Mental Health

Mental health is something we often overlook – not because it is unimportant, but because it is invisible. Many people appear perfectly fine on the outside, going to work, meeting friends, and keeping up with life’s demands, while quietly fighting battles no one can see. In our society, strenght is often linked to endurance – to “pushing through” – but true strenght can also mean knowing when to stop and ask for help.

My Personal Story

For many years, I believed that the way I felt was simply “me,” something I had to live with and manage on my own. From my early years onward, I learned how to motivate myself and keep going. I never allowed my struggles to affect my work or become visible to my friends. From the outside, everything looked fine – yet inside, it was not always easy.

It took me until my early 50s to finally seek help from a doctor. It was my husband, Patrick, who first encouraged me to do so. He knows me so well that sometimes he recognises when I am unwell even before I do. With his gentle support and care, I took that important step – and it changed my life.

Now, under the guidance of my doctor, I take what I like to call my “happy pills.” I needed to adjust the dosage at first, but I see that not as a sign of weakness – rather, as a form of self-care and courage. It is a huge relief to feel balance returning, and to find joy in everyday life again. I often think, why did I wait so long? But what matters most is that I finally did.

A Message to Others

If you are struggeling silently, please know that you are not alone. Mental health callenges can affect anyone – regardless of background, age, or success. They don’t make you weak; they make you human. Seeking help is not about giving up – it is about choosing life, choosing healing, and giving yourself permission to feel better.

Medication, therapy, or even just talking to someone you trust can make an enormous difference. Sometimes it takes another person, like Patrick was for me, to notice what we can’t see in ourselves. Let that be a reminder that support is love – and accepting it is strenght.

Closing Thoughs

Today, I am deeply grateful for where I am – for my doctor, my husband, and for the courage it took to reach out. I share this not because it is easy, but because I know how many people are quietly going through something similar. If my story encourages even one person to take that first step toward help, then opening up was worth it.

You are never too old, too strong, or too proud to seek help. Healing can begin at any age – and it is never too late to find your peace.