How to Spot the Signs of Mental Health Illness

By Rachel Davis

Principal Associate

We all have mental health – just like we have physical health – and mental health fluctuates.

If you’re in good mental health you can make the most of your potential, cope with the stresses of life and work productively.

The definition of Mental Health from the World Health Organisation is:

‘a state of well-being in which every individual realises their own potential, and is able to cope with normal stressors, live and work fruitfully and make a contribution to society’

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

We all have times when we feel stressed, anxious or down. Usually, these feelings pass; but sometimes they develop into a more serious mental health illness.

Early Warning Signs

It is important to spot the early signs of mental health problems both in yourself and others to stop these developing into something more serious. Early warning signs include:

  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Having no or little energy
  • Feeling numb and like nothing matters
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
  • Acting unusually aggressive and fighting with family and friends
  • Feeling confused, forgetful, upset or scared
  • Inability to perform daily tasks such as taking care of yourself or going to work
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others

For more information and to find out how we can help you, please contact us on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.