Published on September 11, 2025

When to Seek Counseling and Suicide Prevention Support

If you’ve never tried therapy, you may be wondering, “Can therapy really help?” or “Is this the right time for me to start?”  

For many people, whether they’re experiencing major life transitions such as divorce, grief or job loss, or managing ongoing mental health or substance use challenges, counseling and therapy services can provide valuable support and guidance.

Why Does Seeking Help Matter?

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never spoken with a counselor before. It takes courage to share your personal story with someone new. Fortunately, the stigma once associated with the need for mental health support, no longer carries the same weight. Progress is slowly being made. In fact, one positive outcome of the 2020 pandemic is the normalization of seeking mental health support.

Therapy provides a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly, gain new perspectives and develop healthy coping strategies.

When to Know If You Need Immediate Support

Before starting counseling, it’s important to understand the difference between routine support and urgent crisis care:

  • If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, planning to harm yourself or are in an acute mental health crisis (such as hallucinations), do not wait for a therapy appointment. Go to the nearest emergency room or behavioral health hospital immediately.
  • If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, experiencing withdrawals or struggling with severe substance use, seek emergency medical care or detox services right away. Once stabilized, inpatient rehab or an intensive outpatient program and eventually outpatient counseling can help with recovery and relapse prevention.

Practical Considerations Before Starting Therapy

When planning to begin therapy services, consider these factors:

Insurance Coverage:

Review your insurance to see which providers are covered, and check deductibles and copays. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can help with the cost of counseling services.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP):

Many employers offer short-term counseling (often 3–5 sessions) at no cost. EAP services are solution-focused and can provide referrals for ongoing care if needed.

Finding the Right Therapist:

Think about what matters most to you in a therapist. These could be preferences such as a therapist’s gender, cultural background, areas of expertise or therapy style. Consider whether you prefer in-person or virtual sessions. Recommendations from friends, family or your physician can also be helpful.

Timing and Availability:

Since the Covid pandemic, demand for therapy has grown significantly. Some therapists may have waiting lists, so it can help to contact multiple providers.

Taking the First Step

Deciding to begin counseling is a personal journey, and there is no “perfect” time. If you feel overwhelmed, stuck or simply want a safe space to talk through your challenges, counseling can be an important step toward healing and growth. You don’t have to face difficulties alone—help is out there.

Suicide Prevention: You Are Not Alone

If you are thinking about suicide, please tell someone you trust and seek immediate help at your local emergency department. In painful and desperate moments, it may be hard to believe that life can get better—but recovery is possible, and you are worth saving.

If you are in the United States and in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  Additional information can be found at NAMI.  Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide confidential support.

  • For local mental health crisis help in Kalamazoo, contact Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.  They have a 24/7 behavioral health urgent care and can be contacted at (269) 373-6000.
  • For mental health crises in Battle Creek, contact Summit Pointe at (800) 632-5449.
  • For mental health crises in Van Buren County, contact Van Buren Community Mental Health at their 24-hour crisis line (800) 922-1418.

For specialized needs, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, local and national hotlines are available to provide immediate assistance.

Finding a Therapist

If you are ready to start therapy, PsychologyToday.com is a helpful online directory where you can search for therapists by specialty, insurance and location.

Locally, Bronson HelpNet offers both Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling services and long-term outpatient therapy [LL2] in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and Van Buren counties.

  • Community members seeking outpatient therapy: Contact Bronson HelpNet at (269) 245-3850 to schedule an appointment or visit bronsonhealth.com/counseling for more information
  • Employees with Bronson HelpNet EAP benefits: Call (269) 245-3900 to schedule an appointment
  • Employers interested in adding EAP services: Call (269) 245-3900 for more information on Bronson HelpNet

Final Thought

Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of strength. Whether you are navigating life changes, managing long-term challenges or facing a crisis, therapy can provide the tools, guidance and hope you need to move forward.

You don’t have to go through life’s challenges alone. Help is available.

Bronson HelpNet psychotherapist Jill Green smiling

Jill Green, MA, LLP and Licensed Psychotherapist

Bronson HelpNet

“Life can be stressful, and we often feel alone in these moments. Everyone has a unique storyand I am honored to collaborate with clients to promote their empowerment and transformation.”

Meet the HelpNet Team

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