To think that people overuse therapy as a solution for every problem?

When can it make things worse?

Can help. Not does help. A subtle but important difference.

I know but you did say that more people than ever are taking their lives and that therefore more therapy would be a positive thing, suggesting that you see it as something that at least helps.

It is worth remembering that it isn’t a cure, that in some cases it can make things worse.

I have no issue with counselling or therapy. I do have issues with it being pushed as a cure for mental health on people who can often barely afford it, I have issues with it being seen as something people ‘should’ have to deal with problems they probably could deal with effectively alone and with it being seen as something which cures and heals.

Are you the same poster who started a deleted thread about mental health issues being over diagnosed earlier today?

@SnugOtter Problem is Therapy e.g CBT is the gold standard for treating many MH problems currently. Its not that people don't think about all the other things you suggested, it's that they haven't worked.

Do you not think most people try the self help books and other methods and then go onto therapy? Therapy is for many, an expensive, time consuming and painful experience, but it helps. I don’t think people do it lightly. We tried all of your suggestions before eventually paying for a therapist who pretty much saved my daughter’s life and saved our relationship. I think you’re being very naive OP.

Maybe people lost the skills of resilience and mental fortitude.

Lots of people do over think tho ha which are not really an issue

Therapy can help hugely with suicidal thoughts and managing emotions.

alterbehavioralhealth.com/blog/top-therapies-treat-suicidal-thoughts/

I didn't say it was a cure. But it certainly helps some people to climb out of that very dark place.

Agree. My brother and his friends all love therapy and recommend it for any little thing. If I’m feeling stressed in work, talking to an expensive a stranger about my childhood is not likely to help.

Therapy isn’t a ‘cure’ for suicide, though. People take their lives for all sorts of reasons.

But default to therapy literally isn’t happening.

People with chronic mental health issues are not getting anything on the NHS and sadly private therapy is out of the question for the majority.

I haven't heard of anyone seeking therapy for any of the things you listed, you also wouldn't know how severe someone's mental health problems were. Even loved ones living closely many times haven't the faintest idea. I do agree though that the number of people needing MH Interventions seems to have exploded, almost every other person I know personally has some form of severe MH problem requiring therapy which I find quite strange.

Yes! Fully agree

I'm currently seeing a therapist because I had an accident earlier this that has left me permanent disabled, in pain, and in need of multiple further sugeries. If I didn't see her I'd probably have killd myself by now. I tell people like the OP who sneer at people like me that I see my therapist because I got attacked by a set of stairs. Why would I share the truth with someone so obviously lacking in empathy?

I'm a therapist. My clients are functional enough to hold down jobs so that they can afford me (apart from the charity clients I also see voluntarily) but have deep seated issues that they're masking in their day to day life or are turning up in other unhelpful behaviours. They are definitely not the worried well. Generally they want to do the work in the minimum of sessions (and outside it - because we can help you with tools but 50 minutes a week (or biweekly - cost) is not going to 'fix' you, as if that is even a thing) as they, and I, are very well aware of the financial cost to them. Ideally they'd be with me long term to really work through where the issues they want to change (because that is why the majority of people seek help) came from, but sadly most cannot afford that. And I'm reasonably priced in a pretty affluent area.

How cruel of you to assume this? Therapy isn't cheap and neither is it easily accessible. Why are you judging people? A relative of mine killed themselves unable to get to the bottom of their mental health issues. The premise of your opening comment is disgraceful, disrespectful and downright dangerous. I hope those in therapy continue their journey, because they have the strength and confidence to seek out help.

YABU. Who are you to judge what problems require therapy?

What do you propose they do instead?

Numb their problems with alcohol, over-eating and TV?

I do understand what you're saying, but sometimes, if small things happen and you ignore them, things just get bigger, and not manageable.
It's like the stress bucket theory: you can keep chucking things in, but sooner or later, it will spill over. And it can be the smallest thing that causes the breakdown.

I wouldn't say therapy, necessarily, but talking to someone, even a helpline, can help. I work in a mental health role (non therapy) and people don't talk about their issues enough.

Just because MN suggests therapy a lot, it doesn't mean everyone is getting therapy off MN.

I'm seeing a therapist at the moment. Two months ago my teen daughter tried to kill herself and is now not in school. I'm finding navigating getting her support quite difficult (there is none). Hope that meets your threshold?

But you have no idea why people are in therapy - you're just speculating on what you think you know about them?