Realizing and Being Prepared

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WHAT YOU CAN DO STARTING TODAY

There are many great ways you can support our mission of compassion in the right way as it relates to mental health. One of the first is, understanding that mental health affects us all from the average person who is just seeking to make it day to day, to those who may be fighting depression or loneliness, to those dealing with stigmas as a result of a much more serious mental condition or other disability. Each day we venture out to our normal lives whether it be work, shopping, family or online we are surrounded with many who may be in need or perhaps it's we ourselves who are in need or recovering as we navigate difficult situations in life some may be oblivious to their own needs as many of us have been conditioned to feel "that's just the way life has to be" or "who really cares about me"?. No, no, no one has to face anything alone, with good resources of information, professional support (if needed), healthy engaging activities and supportive communities; all help aid coping and further a better quality life. Paying attention to changes in behavior, monitoring how we treat others and treat ourselves in general, combined with active listening to what our friends or family members may be trying to express are easy steps that can make a tremendous difference.

 

COMMON SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

Experiencing one or more of the following feelings/behaviors or witnessing them from those we may know can be an early warning sign of an issue:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little

• Pulling away from people and usual activities

• Having low or no energy

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters

• Having unexplained aches and pains

• Feeling helpless or hopeless

• Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual

• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared

• Yelling or fighting with family and friends

• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships

• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head

• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true

• Thinking of harming yourself or others (threats)

• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school.

• Spending many unusual and excessive hours of days or weeks to months of time online.

• Changing of cleanliness habits and routines of household maintenance.

 

Although this is a basic list all are things to look for and take seriously especially in the case of threats of harm to oneself or others, seeking professional support and informing other family members or friends are a must.

View a list of international mental health organizational sites (that Google search may not find) by clicking HERE