Formal education is good for many things; college, a job, a tick on your resume. However, it isn't so good at preparing you for life. Many of us miss out on essential skills that are in high demand, like programming.

It's also true that many of us will suffer from mental health impairments or mental illness throughout our lives. While it's almost impossible to be fully in control of your condition, there are ways to support yourself.

If you're after a way to help your mental health and have an interest in programming, then keep reading.

Practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the more common non-pharmacological treatments for mental health problems. Although no medication is involved, CBT aims to help you reduce negative thoughts and feelings, and to develop mechanisms to help you to cope with different emotions and problems.

Although there are programming jobs where you need to turn up to an office, there are many remote programming jobs in demand right now. Programming is a relatively solitary task too, which can either end in elation if your code works, or stress and even spiraling thoughts if it doesn't.

Despite the risks associated with programming, it can also be a great way to develop and test out the skills promoted through CBT. While CBT is often a prescribed program, it is possible to complete online courses or even learn the skills yourself through self-help books or research. If you've ever been stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts about yourself or your abilities, you may be able to develop skills to manage them through programming.

Of course, it's easy to stay positive when things go right, and your code executes without a hitch. But when it doesn't, using CBT techniques to manage those feelings will help you out. You can then apply these techniques throughout your daily life, too, as CBT is also one of the ways to stop procrastinating.

Reduce Stress With Problem Solving

There are generally two parts to programming; creativity and problem-solving. Whether it's fixing a bug or problem in your code, or hunting it out in someone else's, it is a skill to be able to deconstruct an issue logically. Problem-solving can be logical, but it's also a creative process too.

However, it's not always so easy to see things that way. Negative and overwhelming thoughts generally cloud our minds and affect our mood and well-being. Stress is a term that's often used quite casually, but it can be incredibly devastating and distressing, leading to worsening mental health.

Programmers are adept at breaking down an issue into manageable chunks that can be gradually crossed off your to-do list. It's a skill that can be applied throughout your life outside of work too. That's not to say that being a programmer will stop you from ever feeling overwhelmed or stressed. You'll be better equipped to manage it though, especially if you use these problem-solving diagrams too.

Develop Creative Skills

One alternative treatment for depression and other mood disorders is through art and creative therapies. These are typically arts-based activities with the support of a trained professional. They often take place in a group setting but can also be taken in one-to-one sessions. The aim of these therapies to give you space where you can express yourself, and that may give you an outlet for emotions or thoughts that are hard to put into words.

As with any treatment, the session you attend should be accredited and regulated. However, that doesn't mean you can't apply similar techniques on your own too. Programming offers an ideal space for using arts and creative therapy techniques. You use language, but an entirely different one, where it may be easier to express yourself. Words in our spoken languages often come with a complicated backstory.

Programming languages allow you to flex your creativity, problem-solve, and work towards a goal. This is especially true if you get into programming as a hobby, or have side projects. It means you have a safe space to create and try out new things, and is just one of the ways you can start living creatively.

Combined with CBT and stress reduction techniques, this space to explore your creativity will help you manage the often challenging emotions mental health issues can bring up.

Building Relationships to Overcome Loneliness

We said earlier that programming is a solitary task, and it often is. However, whether you work in an office or remotely, there is a large community of programmers out there. Sometimes the solution to a task will elude us; that's when it's time to reach out to other developers.

Stack Overflow is one of the most popular websites for developers for that reason. The forum has an incredibly active community that helps each other out. Post a question, and you'll get a wide range of developers will different expertise chiming in. But the site isn't only for work talk; it's a hub for developers and programmers to chat too.

In fact, the Stack Overflow 2018 Survey found that 8.5 percent of users have a mood or emotional disorder, while 7.8 percent said they suffer from an anxiety disorder. That's a significant proportion of the 1.3 million registered users. So, there are people who will understand and empathize with your own mental health struggles and be able to lend a sympathetic ear when you need it most.

We often think of programming as a purely digital activity, but there are many real-world programming communities too. Your workplace may have a professional network, or there might be a meet up in your local area. Being able to talk to people face-to-face helps some people reduce the isolation and loneliness associated with remote work and mental illness.

Support Your Mental Health With Programming

There's a growing awareness that we should be looking after our mental health. And more people are opening up about their struggles than ever before. That doesn't mean that your suffering isn't incredibly personal, though, and you may not feel comfortable sharing how you feel with everyone.

You might be a pro at programming, or totally new to it. Either way, there are many ways programming can improve your mental well-being. Of course, you may also want to try these apps to manage your mental health too.

Plus, did you know that Facebook can help with your mental health?