Signs of

Mental Health Challenges

Mental Health is a spectrum

There are dozens of mental health conditions that exist, and many are a lot more common than you might think. In fact, one in six youth in the US ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. Remember that mental health is also a spectrum, and conditions can vary from person to person. To learn more about the different conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, anxiety disorders or ADHD, visit nami.org. Do not self-diagnose, if you believe that you are experiencing or witnessing these signs, seek help and visit step 3, “reaching out.”

Physical Changes

Problems with your mental health can take a toll on you physically. Some changes that you might witness include:

  • changes in sleeping habits

  • severe weight gain or weight loss

  • lack of appetite 

  • avoiding friends or loved ones

  • overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs

  • changes in school/work performance

Source

Emotional Changes

Those struggling with mental health may also experience:

  • Extreme mood changes (uncontrollable “highs” for example)

  • Excessive worrying or anxiety

  • Strong feelings or irritability

  • Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings

  • Thinking about suicide

Source