PSA from a registered psychologist: Depression does not always involve sadness.

It *can*. But often it's numbness or debilitating apathy.

This is a super common misconception I see amongst my clients and it's important to know, as some won't seek help / treatment as a result!

Another misconception: Anxiety is only an issue if *insert definition here*.

Anxiety comes on a spectrum, and can have multiple causes, and present in different ways. There's no cutoff for when it's "real".

The time to seek support is when anxiety and worry are hindering more than helping.

Helpful worry: "GAH, if I don't start my homework now, I'll run out of time. Better get on it right now!"

Unhelpful worry: "I'm TERRIFIED I'm going to fail this subject and so I can't begin"

Helpful worry: I think I might have offended my friend with my comment this morning. I'll check in with them and apologise!"

Unhelpful worry: I think my friends can't stand me because I'm awkward and always say the wrong thing. I'm going to try not to talk as much anymore.

While receiving a diagnosis means you have to meet a set number of formal criteria, there IS no set criteria for receiving help and support.

You can experience anxiety without having a formal anxiety disorder. You can experience depressive symptoms without having MDD.

If you have consistent headaches that bother you enough that you can't easily treat it yourself, you shouldn't avoid the doctor because you don't have a brain tumour. The headaches are there, and they need addressing, regardless.

Mental health isn't just the absence of any disorders in the DSM.

A mentally healthy person is a person who is thriving.

You deserve to thrive.