It was about a month ago now that the school’s GP referred me to the local health centre. To be honest, I wasn’t sure why. I mean, I thought it was good, I thought it would make me better, but I felt that my GP never identified anything wrong with me. I think she just did it to satisfy me (i.e. shut me up). Anyway, I had the first session about two weeks ago, and the second earlier this week, and now I have a clear idea of what it’s all about, I think I can make a guess of what’s in store.

Fortunately, the school clinic was close enough to walk to. Unfortunately, it was still in the next village. I’m still getting used to the local country folk’s interpretation of ‘convenience’. It was school rules that, when leaving grounds, that I must wear school uniform (being in a boarding school). Of course, my uniform isn’t actually uniform, being in sixth form, I just wear a suit. And, I have to walk past the local state school to get there, which means I have to walk past all the state students in a posh suit. It’s not the best situation to be in, what with all the yelling and throwing of things. Not particularly good, considering I’m headed to a depression counseling session. It’s actually quite ironic.

The first session went well. It may’ve been a bit worrying because it went so well. That first session, we talked about all the good things in my life, family, prospects, hobbies, and then that was it. If I were listening to me speak, I would’ve questioned why I would think I need counseling anyway. But other than that, it went well. The counselor was nice, she had a kind manner about her and had her own experiences with people of all sorts of problems so there’s really nothing you could tell her that’ll scare her (except if you admitted you wanted to kill her or something, and I suspect she’d still know how to handle it).

My second session, the one earlier this week, went just as smoothly, but for different reasons. It was then that we got onto the more depressive and anxious points. I told her quite intimate things, stuff I can’t even say on this blog – it’s that scary. But frighten of saying it as I was, she wasn’t even flapped! She just wrote it down, asked why, and after explaining, emitted a thoughtful “mmm”. She gave me many alternative solutions to my problems, which I liked. I think it’s good that people have more than one fail-safe, so that they can try many things before seeing their counselor again.

For those of you who feel the need to see a counselor, or psychiatrist or other mental health professional, but feel it may not be worth it, I suggest give it a shot. A lot of the time, people come with just minor problems, and therefore they reach a solution in less than three sessions. If you think you have a problem, then there’s no point in hesitating. If you’re still unsure, then ask a friend or family member, or even (as I did) anonymously post your problem online and see what the responses are. Trust me, it’s well worth the wait.

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