Pathways To Recovery

Recovery is possible. Mental illness can be very overwhelming, and you may feel as though you will never be yourself again, however there are many options available to support you.

Here are a few things you can do to start your recovery journey:

• Seek help from a medical professional (or have a parent or trusted adult schedule an appointment for you): Allow a doctor to listen to your concerns and provide you with a diagnosis. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can start to recover! The doctor will also be able to link you to other mental health supports.

• Medication: Work with your doctor to find out if medication is an option for you, and which ones are appropriate for your situation.

• Learn about your mental illness: Do some research and consider how the illness impacts you as an individual. Educate those around you about mental illness, and what you are dealing with. This will make it easier for them to support you.

• Build a strong support team: You shouldn’t have to do this alone! Depending on your situation, your team could include doctors, counselors, teachers, family and friends. It’s important to stay honest with yourself and your support team. They are there for you.

• Practice personal wellness: Taking care of your body and mind on a regular basis is important in building and maintaining good mental health. This includes physical exercise, diet, sleep, healthy routines, stress management and relaxation techniques, and goal setting.

Remember that having a mental illness does not mean you cannot achieve your goals!