Shame, rejection, helplessness, fear of failure, surrender. No wonder it seems so hard to ask for help.

The inner dilemma that prevents you from making that call, sending that text, or leaning on that shoulder has all the hallmarks of a culture that prides itself on self-sufficiency. The real shock is that when help is received it can feel like, "Why didn't I ask for help sooner?"

This week Kevin and Niseema look at how the simple act of asking for help has layers of complexity and feeling that go back to the first time you tried to utter that word.