Professional Help | Mental Health Literacy

Professional help

Who’s Who in Mental Health

Sometimes, young people and even adults feel confused about the differences between mental health professionals. Terms like psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, and psychoanalyst can feel overwhelming—and not knowing who to turn to may delay getting support when it’s needed most.

It’s common for young people to feel unsure about seeking mental health support. Many are unsure who to talk to, or worry that asking for help means they are weak or “not coping well.” As a youth worker, you can help shift this mindset. Seeking help is not a failure—it’s a form of strength, maturity, and care for oneself or one’s child.

By helping young people understand the roles of mental health professionals, you’re also encouraging trust and reducing stigma. You don’t need to have all the answers, but being able to explain the basics and refer them to the right source can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Because each professional offers a different kind of help, it’s useful to think about what kind of support a young person may need. If medication or a diagnosis is needed, a psychiatrist is the best choice. If the focus is on understanding emotions, behavior, or managing daily challenges, a psychologist may be most appropriate. For longer-term emotional support or processing deeper issues, a psychotherapist can guide that journey. And for those seeking an even deeper exploration of their inner world, psychoanalysis may be a helpful path.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Because of their medical training, psychiatrists can diagnose mental health disorders and prescribe medication. They often work with people experiencing serious mental health challenges such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders. Psychiatrists follow a medical model, understanding mental health through biology and brain chemistry, and their main approach to treatment usually involves medication. If a young person is dealing with severe symptoms or needs a diagnosis and medication, a psychiatrist is the appropriate person to turn to.

Psychologist

In contrast, a psychologist is not a medical doctor. They have completed university studies in psychology and are trained to understand emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and mental processes. Psychologists do not prescribe medication, but they are skilled in offering psychological assessments and support. Using different tools—such as interviews, observation, and psychological tests—they help people better understand themselves and the challenges they face. A psychologist can offer emotional support, build coping skills, and if needed, refer a young person to a psychiatrist for further medical evaluation.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are professionals—often psychologists or psychiatrists—who have completed additional, specialized training in psychotherapy. Becoming a psychotherapist requires years of education and supervision. They work with people who want to explore emotional struggles in depth, process past trauma, or make meaningful changes in their lives. Psychotherapy involves regular sessions over a longer period and uses structured approaches to guide healing. It’s important to know that not all psychologists or psychiatrists are psychotherapists. Psychotherapy requires a specific qualification, and only those who have completed the proper training should use this title. Sometimes people without the necessary credentials might call themselves psychotherapists, so it’s always okay to ask about their training.

Psychoanalysts

Psychoanalysts are psychotherapists who practice a specific type of therapy called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts and past experiences that influence current behavior. This kind of therapy is usually more intensive and long-term, with multiple sessions per week. It requires deep motivation from the person attending and a strong relationship between the therapist and client. Psychoanalysts are trained in a particular method and follow strict international standards.

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Recognizing when someone might need professional support

Sometimes, the people around us are struggling, but they don’t know how to say it—or they’re afraid to. That’s why learning to recognize the signs that someone might need support is a powerful act of care. You don’t need to be an expert to notice when something feels “off.” What matters most is your presence, your curiosity, and your willingness to listen without judgment.

You might notice that someone has started to withdraw from social activities they once enjoyed. Maybe they seem more quiet than usual, or their energy feels different—tired, distracted, or emotionally distant. A person who is usually talkative might suddenly become silent. On the other hand, someone who’s usually calm might begin to act more irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed. These changes aren’t always easy to spot, but over time, they can signal that a person is carrying more than they can manage alone.

Changes in physical appearance or self-care can also be signs that a person is having a hard time. For example, someone might stop taking care of their personal hygiene—they may wear the same clothes for days, stop brushing their hair, or neglect showering. You might also notice that they look especially tired, aren’t sleeping well, or have started skipping meals or eating very differently than usual. These shifts often go hand in hand with emotional distress.

It’s important to know that these signs don’t always mean there’s a serious mental health condition. But they are signals that someone may be struggling more than they can handle on their own—and they deserve care, not judgment.

If you sense that something isn’t right, try gently checking in. You might say, “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately—want to talk?” or “I’m here if you ever need someone to listen.” These small invitations can mean a lot, especially to someone who feels invisible or unsure about asking for help.

It’s also okay if the person isn’t ready to open up right away. Just knowing you care—and that you’re not going anywhere—can be the beginning of their healing journey. Keep the door open and keep showing up.

And finally, remember this: If someone shares something serious or concerning with you, you don’t have to handle it alone. Let them know it’s okay to reach out to a trusted adult or mental health professional. Sometimes, your role is simply to walk beside them while they take the next step. Recognizing someone’s pain is an act of compassion. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a kind heart, open eyes, and the willingness to show up.

When someone opens up about their struggles, it’s a moment of trust. They’ve taken a risk—and what happens next can either make them feel safer, or more shut down. As a youth worker, peer, or friend, your words can offer comfort, validation, and hope, even if you’re not sure what to say at first.

You don’t need to fix anything. You don’t need perfect advice. What matters most is how you make the other person feel while they’re being vulnerable: Do they feel seen? Heard? Accepted?

Start with less, not more

When someone is going through a hard time, say very little. Not because you don’t care—but because in that moment, your job isn’t to find the perfect words. It’s to create the right space.

That means:

Don’t pepper them with questions—“Who? What happened? When? Why?”
Don’t rush to problem-solve after hearing one sentence.
Don’t fill the silence with advice.

Think of your role like setting a table: you’re preparing a space for them to sit with their experience, not piling their plate with what you think they need. They’ll tell you what they’re ready for.

Things you can say

Here are some phrases that offer validation, without pressure or judgment:

“Thank you for telling me. I’m really glad you shared that with me.”
“That sounds really tough. I’m here with you.”
“You don’t have to go through this alone.”
“It makes sense that you’re feeling this way.”
“Do you want me to just listen, or help you figure out some next steps?”
“Do you want encouragement, or do you need some time?”

These responses show empathy. They remind the other person that they’re not broken—they’re human. You’re not making it about you. You’re staying with them, in their story.

What not to say (even with good intentions)

It’s easy to fall into habits that sound helpful but can actually hurt or distance someone. Avoid these responses:

“It’s not that bad.” (It might feel that bad to them.)
“Others have it worse.” (Pain doesn’t need to be compared to be valid.)
“You should just…” (Fast advice can feel like you’re not really listening.)
“You’ll be fine.” (This can come off as dismissive, even if meant kindly.)
“Cheer up!” (This skips over what they’re actually feeling.)

Also, stay away from saying, “I know how you feel.” The truth is, you probably don’t—and even if you’ve been through something similar, turning the focus back to your own experience may not help in the moment. Instead, validate what they are feeling by starting with:
“That sounds…”
– That sounds overwhelming.
– That sounds exhausting.
– That sounds painful.

This simple shift puts the focus back where it belongs: on the person opening up. When people feel heard, they begin to heal. And your role in that process? It’s more powerful than you think.

Scenario cards for recognizing when someone might need support

You can print these onto individual cards, cut them out, and use them in pairs or small groups. After reading each card, invite participants to discuss:

What signs suggest this person might need support?
What could be going on beneath the surface?
What could you say or do to offer support?
When would it be important to involve a trusted adult or professional?

Scenario 1: Maya – Fading into the background

Maya has been part of your youth group for over a year. Normally upbeat and talkative, she has gradually become withdrawn over the past month. She often keeps her hoodie up, avoids eye contact, and spends breaks scrolling silently on her phone. During a recent activity, she whispered, “It doesn’t matter, I don’t care anymore,” when someone suggested she present her work. On social media, she posted a plain black image with the caption: “Tired of pretending.”