Does therapy actually help? Like can it help with suicidal thoughts and extreme hopelessness? How do you know if therapy is for you?

I was skeptical of therapy for most of my life -- I came from a family where it was frowned upon to talk about mental health struggles, and it was expected that you would work through your issues in silence. When I moved out, I remember one day I was talking with some of my close friends and they were talking about their experiences in therapy. I didn't even know that they were struggling and wanted to talk to a therapist, but they told me that it doesn't matter what you are going through, a therapist is there to help you. They are an impartial party that is there to listen and try to help you. If you are struggling with extreme hopelessness or other feelings of despair, therapy can be beneficial in providing you with the tools to move forward. Every therapist is different, but going to therapy can be like going to the gym -- just instead of working on your physical health, you are working on your mental health. I believe that everyone should try therapy at least once.

Therapy can definitely help you find coping mechanisms for both suicidal thoughts and extreme hopelessness. Sometimes an outside perspective really helps to bring light to some easy things you can try to help. If you feel better, or good about going to therapy it might be helping you. If you feel like you're getting worse, you may not have found the right fit with your therapist yet. It can take time and a lot of tries to find the right one, don't be afraid to interview them beforehand and make sure they know about what you want to discuss with them.

My personal philosophy is that therapy is for EVERYONE. So yes, therapy is for you. It can help a lot in emotional regulation and coping skills, which will help you to feel better in dark moments. Also, it will address the cognitive distortions that tell you you're not good enough and that life isn't worth living. Fixing your maladaptive thoughts and behaviors will help you to feel better as you keep working towards it. I know that feeling of hopelessness, but I promise you there's so many treatment options and support systems out there that you have yet to find! Wish you the best of luck :)

Therapy is a very special and unique thing because it does help with suicidal thoughts and hopelessness, and it all starts from where you are in your journey. Therapy is not exclusive to one person, many people are in therapy for different things, not just suicidal thoughts and hopelessness. If you feel as though you need a third, impartial party to sit with and work through your own thoughts and emotions, I would recommend therapy for you. The common misconception about therapy is that a therapist is somebody who will tell you how you can "fix" your life. However, it is not that at all. A therapist will meet you where you are at, help you to understand all the complex emotions one is feeling, then help you find what is best for YOU. Therapy is so helpful because it is the fundamental belief that only you know what is best for you.