Recognising the signs of mental health issues
Mental health issues can affect any of us at any time. But do you know how to spot the signs if you, or someone you love, is struggling?
Mental health issues can affect any of us at any time. But do you know how to spot the signs if you, or someone you love, is struggling?
Mental Health First Aid England says that a third of students reported having psychological difficulties for which they needed professional help. And mental health charity Mind found 96% of young people aged 11-25* said their mental health had affected their schoolwork at some point.
While it can be challenging admitting that you – or someone you love – needs help, there is a wealth of support out there at school, university, and in the workplace. But how do you recognise the signs if someone is unhappy, or if they’re having mental health problems? And how do you recognise them in yourself?
Youth mental health charity YoungMinds says there are some common signs that someone might be struggling, including:
Young Minds advise you to trust your instincts. If you notice a significant change of behaviour or demeanour, it’s always worth asking to see how someone is doing:
There’s a lot of change in young people’s lives, so it’s normal to express raw emotions and change moods quickly, especially during exams or other high-pressure periods. But if someone is consistently struggling – for example if you see a sustained change in their sleeping or eating patterns, or if they seem to be upset over a long period of time – it might be a sign of something more serious.
For further information go to the NHS website, or YoungMinds.
Shantanu Kundu is the founder of Be Free Campaign, which aims to demolish the stigma behind mental health. He advises not trying to diagnose a friend yourself, but says instead notice any changes in their behaviour, try and speak to them, and get them support.
A lot of people who might be struggling don’t actually tell uni about it and then it gets worse because they’re then bogged down with lots of deadlines and worried about when they can hand them in, but actually you can get extensions and all that stuff really easily.
Remember, it’s not all on you.