During mental health awareness campaigns, there are often many individuals left with questions they feel uncomfortable asking in regard to such a sensitive topic. In order to gain insight into various topics such as facilitating open conversation or misconceptions, I interviewed local therapist Maria S. Stops. Maria Stops credentials include an LMSW, which is a Licensed Master Social Worker, and a LPCC, which is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
First, how would you advise someone that either does not know someone going through mental health issues or who has never personally gone through mental issues themselves to enter this conversation?
I think we should all be talking about more than âhow are you doing.â If somebody looks depressed or somebody looks like their having a difficult time just being able to ask, âhow are you doing, how are things goingâ and then pursuing that avenue. If things arenât going so well why arenât they going so well. There are things that happen every day that provide the opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation. Just current events, things that happen every day could give people a way to talk more about mental health.
Do you think now days we have problems reaching out to others simply because we donât want to get too involved or we think whatâs their business is theirs and itâs not our place to get involved?
I think weâre too busy in our own lives to really take the time out to ask people if their okay or to do check ins with friends or family or to just really take that time to ask someone âhowâs it goingâ and explore a little further. I think now days our lives or so busy and fanatic that we really donât have time to just relax and sit down to talk with a friend. I definitely think we do not reach out to others enough.
As a therapist, what are some misconceptions about therapy that you have encountered?
I donât know think I really hear misconceptions in talk therapy. Iâve never had clients come in saying I thought this was going to be one thing but it wasnât. More than anything, people are concerned when they come into therapy that weâre going to push or suggest medications. I think thatâs a big fear. Rather than talk therapy, behavioral therapy, or working on trauma that weâre immediately going to refer them to a doctor for medication. I think thatâs a common fear that keeps people away. It may get to a point where there is a need for a referral for medication, but we certainly want to try a variety of things before we travel down that path and if someone is completely averse to taking medication thatâs perfectly fine, thatâs their prerogative and we want people to be able to speak their mind, feel comfortable and know that we are going to work with them regardless.
Say a friend reaches out to me and tells me they plan to commit suicide, what advice do you have for individuals to handle situations like that in the moment?
 You have a duty to warn, we all have a duty to warn. If someone says, âI hate my life, I wish I were deadâ thatâs one thing. You can pursue that question further and maybe they stay at that point, but when someone says, âI have access to a gun or medication and I have plans, Iâve been thinking about thisâ you have a duty to warn, and that might be a personâs family, it could be a welfare check through the police department. Everybody has a duty to warn, to take action.
Ultimately, mental health is a complex topic that is often difficult for anyone to talk about openly; however, we need more open conversation and compassion in order to combat such a severe and pressing issue. If you have questions or are currently struggling or know someone that is struggling with mental health issues, find a way that is comfortable for you to reach out. Together, we should continue asking questions and taking action in order to shed more light on this issue.
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
NMSU Crisis Assistance Listening Line (CALL):
575-646-2255
NMSU Counseling Center:
646-2731