To be honest, when I was first thinking about seeking help, I was trying to rationalize my own feelings, thinking that maybe my own problems are not that big of a deal and that I can solve my own issues, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure of what I was feeling, and I didn’t know why I was feeling that way, so even if I was unsure (and kind of reluctant) I continued on with the CBT. I came on the first session without any expectations, it was my first time to get therapy after all, but Miss Aileen was very warm to me, and I eventually I went to the following sessions, and the next, up until the last. Seeking help and getting therapy made me realize that there is nothing wrong with lowering your guard down for a while, being vulnerable, and that it’s okay not to feel okay. Having mental health issues doesn’t make you less of a person, and there’s no shame in seeking help, AT ALL. Having someone other than the voices in your head and knowing that that someone is trained for these kind of situations gives me comfort that there won’t be any judgment within this space, that I can be honest. CBT exists to help you find better ways to cope and eventually stand on your own, it gives you a better understanding on how you can have a healthier relationship with yourself and emotions you have. Of course things may take a while, but as long as there’s progress, then that in itself is already an achievement.
-Mercy, 19, Student