When to Ask for More Help

Stress, sadness and anger can be common after a diagnosis. Some signs mean it is time to ask for help.

Low mood most days for 2 weeks or more is one sign. Losing interest in things you usually enjoy can come with it.

Feeling hopeless is another sign. Hopeless means feeling like things will not get better. Not looking after yourself as you usually do is a sign too.

Two rows of seven day tiles show week 1 and week 2. Each day is sunny or cloudy. With some hard days, only a few days are cloudy. When low mood lasts most days for 2 weeks, nearly every tile is cloudy and a note appears: Tell your doctor.

Tell your doctor how you have been feeling, even if it seems small. Telling them is like telling a mechanic about a strange noise.

Your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional. That is someone trained to help with mood, like a counselor or therapist.

Three steps from telling your doctor how you feel to meeting a counselor or therapist.

If you think about harming yourself, get help right away. In the United States, call or text 988. It is free and open 24/7.

For immediate danger, or outside the United States, call your local emergency number.

A slider moves between two ways to get help right away: call or text 988 in the US, or call your local emergency number.

Key takeaways

• Most days of low mood for 2 weeks or more is a sign to ask for help.
• Your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional.
• Thoughts of harming yourself need quick action: call or text 988 in the US, or your local emergency number.

Try it

Write down how many days this week your mood felt low, and bring that note to your next visit.