WOLCOTT CASA
Mental Health and
Suicide Awareness
A mental illness refers to a condition that alters a person's thinking, emotions, behavior, or mood, significantly impacting their daily life and interpersonal relationships. The most common conditions are depression and anxiety. It's important to know if you have a mental health condition, you're not alone. These conditions are more prevalent than often realized, largely because many individuals feel uncomfortable or afraid to discuss them openly, but here are the facts
Common Symptoms
Each mental health condition presents its own set of symptoms. Below are some common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents:
-
Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
-
Seriously trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so
-
Severe out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors
-
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason
-
Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain
-
Seeing hearing or believing things that are not real
-
Repeatedly using drugs or alcohol
-
Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain
-
Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits
-
Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still
-
Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
Children may show other signs such as:
-
Changes in academic performance
-
Excessive worry or anxiety, leading to avoidance behaviors
-
Hyperactivity
-
Nightmares
-
Disobedience or aggression
-
Temper tantrum
It's important to seek professional help if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms and they last longer than two weeks and significantly interfere with your life.
Source: NAMI
Start the Conversation
If you start to notice changes in yourself or a friend, reach out and get help. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health!
Beginning the conversation doesn’t mean you have to dive straight into talking about mental health struggles right away. Meet your friend (or yourself) where they are. If you are struggling yourself, reach out to a friend, trusted adult, or loved one to let them know you are not doing well and need help. Whether it's catching up over a bite to eat, taking a walk, hanging out, or through text messages reach out and start the conversation.