Early warning signs of mental health struggles
Recognising the early signs of mental health struggles can help you or someone you love get the support they need.
Signs include excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.
Real-life Scenario: Maria finds herself constantly overthinking simple tasks, experiencing racing thoughts before social interactions, and feeling tense without a clear reason.
How to Cope: Practice grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method (identifying things around you with your senses), deep breathing, or guided meditation.
Signs include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Real-life Scenario: Jake used to enjoy painting, but now he lacks the motivation to pick up a brush. He sleeps too much and feels exhausted all the time.
How to Cope: Small actions like stepping outside for fresh air, journaling, and talking to a trusted friend can help. Consider professional support if symptoms persist.
Signs include emotional exhaustion, feeling detached from work, and reduced performance.
Real-life Scenario: Sarah used to be passionate about her job, but now she dreads Mondays, struggles to focus, and feels drained even after a full night's sleep.
How to Cope: Set work-life boundaries, prioritize rest, and engage in activities that bring you joy.
Signs may include flashbacks, avoidance of triggers, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.
Real-life Scenario: Mark experienced a serious accident and now avoids driving, has recurring nightmares, and feels constantly on edge.
How to Cope: Therapy, grounding techniques, and gradual exposure to triggers can help manage trauma responses.
Stress symptoms include irritability, headaches, trouble sleeping, and feeling overwhelmed.
Real-life Scenario: Lisa has deadlines piling up at work, constant headaches, and trouble falling asleep due to overthinking.
How to Cope: Time management, relaxation exercises, and seeking support from loved ones can help alleviate stress.
Feeling withdrawn, avoiding social interactions, and experiencing loneliness.
Real-life Scenario: David stopped responding to messages from friends and spends most of his time alone in his room, feeling disconnected.
How to Cope: Taking small steps to reach out, joining a support group, or engaging in social activities can help rebuild connections.
Discover mental health services available near you.