Thinking about your options? Mental health care might be an excellent option for you. ReKlame Health offers telehealth services for people with a variety of mental health conditions, including substance use disorder. For people with alcohol or opioid use disorders, we can provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

We also offer medication management services for people considering psychiatric medication or already taking it.

Why people hesitate to get help

Unfortunately, some stigma surrounding mental health care may be a factor. People who could benefit from professional mental health care may hesitate to begin because they’re concerned about how they may be seen. Their own self-perception may be involved, seeing themselves as “weak.”

Having a mental health condition is no more “weakness” than having an illness or injury that requires treatment. In online treatment, you can work through challenges in the privacy of your home. You don’t have to worry about bumping into people you know in a waiting room.

Emotional and thought patterns that may signal that it’s time

You might find yourself relating to some of the following:

• “I can’t turn my brain off.”

When your body is ready to sleep at night, your mind is wide awake. You may have racing thoughts or worries. You might replay conversations, review unpleasant memories or stress over what might happen tomorrow.

• “I’m keeping my head above water, but I’m exhausted.”

You may be high functioning in one area of your life, like your job or academic work. But when you’re at home, you find yourself collapsing emotionally. You may be too tired to function, overstimulated or reacting to things that don’t typically bother you.

• “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

Maybe you feel that you’re far away from your old self, one that you feel was a healthier self. Maybe you’re numb, or maybe you’re uncharacteristically sensitive. You might feel overwhelmed by small triggers and react with tears, panic or snapping at loved ones.

• “I can’t find the time.”

You might have an hour free for an hourlong appointment. But if you don’t have time to go to and from the appointment, you can’t make it. Eliminating the commute with virtual care may make fitting it into your schedule easier.

Behavioral red flags that you might notice in yourself

Your behavior might give you a sign or two that your mental health could use support. Four possible red flags are:

• “I can’t talk right now.”

Calls and texts from friends and family might feel like burdens that you don’t have the time or energy to accept.

• “I can’t keep up anymore.”

You might lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. You may feel interested, but lack the energy, motivation or focus to participate. These things might be relationships, hobbies, cultural events or faith-related activities.

• “I need to take the edge off.”

Self-medicating to get through a difficult time might feel necessary. You may find yourself using alcohol, marijuna or stimulants to get through the day. This could turn into a long-term pattern.

• “I have to get my mind off of this.”

Being alone with your thoughts and feelings might be so difficult that you need to avoid it. You might distract yourself by binge-watching a show or doomscrolling. Instead of diving into a good book because you enjoy it, you may use it as an escape that you don’t truly enjoy.

Easy-to-miss physical cues

Some physical cues can reflect changes in your mental health, but these things may be easy to miss or ignore. You might relate to statements like:

• “This is making me sick.”

Tough conversations, anxious moments or late-night worrying might make you feel sick to your stomach. You may have headaches or other physical discomfort during or after strong negative emotions.

• “I’m always tired.”

A full night’s sleep might not make you feel any better, although it used to make you feel rested. You may be exhausted by symptoms of anxiety, depression or another condition. You might find getting enough sleep to be difficult.

• “When I get anxious, I can’t calm down.”

Panic-like symptoms may become overwhelming in situations that wouldn’t provoke them ordinarily. You might feel your heart race, have a choking sensation, feel your palms sweat or become physically tense in everyday situations. You could have other symptoms of panic attacks, like nausea, sweating or a hot feeling.

Life situations where online care may help right now

Virtual mental health care may be beneficial in a few specific situations. It may make sense for you if you are a:

• Student — You might have concerns about looking for help on campus.
• Parent — You may be carrying a burden of unseen emotional labor.
• Professional — You could be concerned about stigma, job loss or insufficient time off.
• Member of an immigrant family — You might need an understanding mental health care provider who supports you without judging.
• Member of a rural or underserved community — You may be able to use virtual care to overcome a lack of access to local care.

By participating in online care, you may be able to make progress more quickly. You don’t have to wait weeks or even months to start treatment — with ReKlame, we can set up an initial appointment within 48 hours. With virtual treatment, you can meet privately anywhere, from your room to your car. In addition, you can find culturally competent care for your experiences, community or language.

A wide range of support is available, whether you’re navigating first-time anxiety or managing a complex condition like bipolar disorder.

A gentle first step

If you see yourself in even one of these signs, it may be time to give yourself the same care you give others. Online psychiatric services can be your first step toward relief, healing and feeling like yourself again.

Talk to a provider who understands you. Give our care team a call today for more information, check your eligibility for free online or book an initial appointment online.