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A severe psychiatric illness can bring crises, and in some instances, we may need someone's help. Whether we are dealing with an impending relapse of symptoms, or if we have some other problem that we can't solve entirely on our own, refusing help if it is offered could be a mistake. In some instances, communicating to those who might help us is a brave and prudent action.  

Asking a stranger or the wrong individual for help could bring disastrous results. Especially if you are a person with mental illness, you have to be careful. A person at random or an ignorant person probably doesn't have much understanding of a mental illness or of the special needs of a mentally ill person, and may in fact have a criminalized perception of someone labeled as mentally ill.  

Yet, receiving help from the right people is an essential resource for persons with mental illness, since recovery never happens alone. Some of this help may come in the form of government programs, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Another agency, in California, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, can help with training and job placement. Most persons with mental illness also need the help of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other helping professionals.  

Despite the fact that I have complained about the mental health treatment system, I have received a lot of help from it, which has been vital to my continued survival.  

Asking for help is sometimes a risk, even when dealing with "helping professionals." Some of them are unprofessional and/or mean-spirited, and some don't really care what happens to us. For this reason, it is important to forge connections with helping professionals with whom you are familiar and know what to expect.  

When people in mainstream society get older, they frequently develop a network of connections. This includes people with whom they have had business dealings, it includes professional peers, and it includes friends. "Knowing people" can be a very valuable resource when something needs to get accomplished.  

If one has a severe mental illness, it doesn't necessarily prevent having connections. Depending on one's level of functioning and social skill, friends can be made. These friends can come in handy. Learning to get along with people, of course, takes practice. I find it easier to have internet buddies than deal with people in person.  

Probably most of the readers have family members who can be of help. Mental illness can be such an insidious disease affecting the mind that we may not realize how family wants to help us. This is not to say that everyone is blessed with a caring family. Yet, paranoia can create false ideas about anything. 

People, whether we are talking about family, friends or acquaintances, may not always be able or willing to help in ways we might like. But that doesn't necessarily imply that there is a lack of caring. It is usually good to accept people's help where we can get it, including times when they are not giving us exactly what we wanted.  

And one last thing: Giving help is as important as getting help. When we see a person suffering, it is an obligation to help him or her if doing so doesn't cause harm to ourselves. Even if we can give no more than a few kind words, compassion for our fellow beings helps us, as well as them.  

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My self-published self-help book: "Instructions for Dealing With Schizophrenia: a Self-Help Manual," still available on Amazon. To order it, click here.