You have a question about an English 150 assignment. You go to your professor for help. You’re not sure how to work 18 credits into your second semester. You go to your academic adviser for help. You want to choose between greek houses.

You go to your friends for help. Everyone is happy to help, and you’re better off for it.

But when you start feeling unlike yourself, and the stress or isolation or sadness takes a deep hold inside of you and affects your day-to-day life, why does it become so hard to ask for help?

When metaphorical zombies rear their heads through our emotions and mental wellbeing and hold us back from functioning like usual — sleeping in past noon, missing classes, neglecting homework, avoiding friends, lashing out — why do we get embarrassed at the idea of asking for help?

College is no 1999 movie with peers tossing back and forth a Frisbee on Central Campus and night after night of partying. College is a major transitional period in life with some of the greatest pressures a student has faced.

“Nearly every aspect about college can trigger things like anxiety or depression when a student isn’t ready to cope with them. And many times anxiety or depression triggers substance abuse or poor choices, which result in poor academic performance,” said Kim Abbey, licensed mental health counselor at Clear Brook Counseling Professionals.

“Of course we all feel anxious or depressed once in a while, but when the feelings start overcoming daily life, or ‘your zombie starts showing,’ that’s when it’s time to seek help. Mental health issues don’t just go away. And people can’t just get over it. It’s not how our minds work.”

If you’re having difficulties, chances are, so are your peers. But we all cope differently, and it’s okay if some people need to ask for help even if others don’t.

“Some avoid talking with professionals about their mental health issues because of the stigmas associated with it,” Abbey said. “I think those stigmas are starting to pass. And over time, I hope to see this next generation embrace the importance of mental health and supporting others for doing so.”

So when you’re having emotional issues, where do you go for help?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who often prescribe medication in conjunction with counseling. Counselors are licensed professionals who can provide lifestyle strategies and techniques to help you in your unique situation. They provide interactive counseling sessions that usually last four to eight weeks.

“At Clear Brook, our team of counselors work with each individual on a deeper level to learn the issues they’re facing,” Abbey said. “Our patients are the experts on themselves, and we’re there to listen to their expertise.

Then we use our own expertise to help them incorporate proven strategies and methods into their daily lives. And we stick with our clients for the long haul, checking back regularly to see improvements or make adjustments.”

Asking for help can require a lot of courage at times when you don’t feel like you can even get out of bed in the morning. But there’s no reason to go it alone. And there’s no better way to overcome mental health issues that are disrupting your daily life than to seek help.

“Students hyper-focus on class, friends, fitting in — I like to remind them to take time for themselves,” Abbey said. “Talking to an experience professional can help you articulate how you want to experience life and help you understand how your current outlook is hindering that. It’s important to ask for help. Take time for you.”