You Are Not Alone

By Natalie Hammer, NAMI-UW Ambassador

Something I continue to learn is that it is okay to ask for help, as there is always someone there to help you. Whether you talk to a friend, a roommate, your CA, a parent, a teacher, a counselor, people are willing to help you get the help you need in fighting your battle against mental illness. Luckily here at UW, we have amazing opportunities to help with your mental illness.

Recently, I decided to take further steps in my healing and I made a mental health consultation at UHS. What I really like about this is you can either talk to someone over the phone or in person for your appointment. During this 30-45 minute consultation, you are asked about your previous experiences with mental health and the reason you came. From your information, you work with someone to create an individualized plan of action. Services at UHS range from individual and group therapy to workshops for specific topics. Also, they offer outside sources if needed in order to get what works best for you. Personally, I wish I ‘d taken advantage of these services earlier on in the year because there are many things offered that could aid you in your healing!

Also, since I’m apart of NAMI, I would like to give a shameless plug to WiChat on Mondays from 7-8pm on the 3rd floor of the SAC! I haven’t gone YET because of work scheduling, but I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this. It’s a peer support group that is there every week to talk about anything and everything you have going on.

My biggest tip to you all is to utilize your resources and know that it’s okay to ask for help. There are SO many people that are more than happy to help you, myself included!