I'm trying to reach out for help as much as I can. That's why I got into a rehab program. That's why I get counseling. That's why I have a sponsor.
We need to help young people and their parents understand that it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help.
A little girl who finds a puzzle frustrating might ask her busy mother (or teacher) for help. The child gets one message if her mother expresses clear pleasure at the request and quite another if mommy responds with a curt 'Don't bother me - I've got important work to do.'
A lot of people might say, 'He must be seeing this person because he has problems,' but actually, the truth is it's a strength to realise you're doing things wrong... and it's a strength to get help.
If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help.
But, most of the time it takes people to hit rock bottom for them to start believing in themselves, and start seeking help.
I just want to send a message to my fans saying that it's OK to admit that you need help, and it doesn't make you weak.
Men, as a general rule, shy away from therapy because there is no obvious way to keep score.
The challenge that so many people have is not knowing how to take that first step of reaching out to another person for help.
We know that fathers find asking for help harder than mothers.
