Asking for Help Isn’t Taboo
Elizabeth A Bell, MS, LAT, ATC
Macon Community Hospital
In a world where we are all constantly “connected” to each other, sometimes it can really feel like we are completely alone. Various settings in athletic training may leave some of us in a team of one, feeling like we have no support from others in our profession. It is important to know that if you are feeling secluded and unsupported, there are ways to reach out for a helping hand and to get mental support.
Maybe you do not even recognize that you may be in need of talking to someone, you just know that things are not quite right. A few things to consider when you think it may be time to seek help:
You are frequently angry or irritable- tolerance level is down and everything/everyone gets on your nerves.
You are feeling stuck in your position- nothing you do in your job is right or you feel like the situation cannot improve.
You have a loss of drive to be a better performer in your job- lost the ability to want to improve your skills.
You have an increase in “aches and pains”- stomach, back, head, something is always bothering you for no apparent reason.
These are just a few things that are common to people who are in need of a little extra help. Finding someone to talk to and vent your frustrations can make a world of a difference. Sure, you may have a good friend who is willing to listen to you talk about the many roadblocks you seem to have in your job, but seeking professional help can be a game changer. Seeing a “shrink” does not mean you are crazy. It means you are strong and willing enough to step up and say, “I need help.”
Some employers offer counselors for free, so you may be able to start by checking with your HR person.
Log onto on your insurance site and look up covered therapists/counselors in your area. Many of the professionals listed will have a website or a bio attached for you to read and see if you may have some common ground with a specific person. Going in knowing that you have some common interests can sometimes help you feel more comfortable opening up to someone new. If there has been a traumatic event, please contact ATs Care at 972-532-8821 or ATsCare@nata.org. These people are trained in crisis management to help you cope with whatever tragic life event you may have recently experienced.
Most importantly, take care of yourself. Evaluate your situation and if you are feeling overwhelmed, do not hesitate to reach out for some assistance. We cannot effectively advocate the care for others if we are not properly caring for ourselves. The simple act of talking to someone may be the turning point for regaining your passion for this amazing profession.