Recognising the signs and reaching out for help
Image shows two people clasping each other’s hands.
Mental health can affect anyone at any time; approximately 1 in 4 people experience a mental health issue each year.
How to spot if you or someone close to you is struggling with their mental health
Signs and symptoms can vary hugely between conditions and for different people with the same condition. That said, there are some common signs and symptoms which may indicate that someone is suffering from poor mental health:
- poor concentration; easily distracted
- worrying more
- finding it hard to make decisions
- feeling less interested in day-to-day activities
- low mood
- mood swings
- loss of appetite
- feeling overwhelmed by things; often close to tears or crying
- tiredness and lack of energy
- sleeping more or less
- talking less and avoiding social activities
- talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics and ideas
- struggling to control emotions
- drinking more
- being irritable, short tempered, aggressive
- making little or no effort with their appearance; poor personal hygiene, repeatedly wearing the same scruffy/dirty clothes, not brushing their hair
- chest pains or a tight chest and difficulty breathing
- losing aspirations and hope for the future
- feeling disconnected from oneself
This list is not exhaustive; there are other symptoms which can indicate poor mental health. Equally, just because someone is experiencing one/some of these symptoms, they aren’t necessarily mentally unwell.
Avoid self-diagnosing via Dr Google – you’ll always find the worst-case scenario and it is never as accurate as talking to a medical professional. For reliable info and advice on different conditions, go to official sources such as the mental health charity Mind.
If you feel that you are struggling with your mental health, it’s important to talk to someone, you can approach your GP or school/college counsellor, or try and tell someone close to you. It can be really tough to start that conversation but as soon as you’ve taken that first step in asking for help and saying how you’re feeling we promise you’ll feel (a bit) better. You can find a list of specialist support services and charities here.
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About Us
The general aim and objective of Head Up! is to promote the interests of young people with disabilities, physical and/or mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties and neurodivergence; offering them practical advice and support concerning their education and welfare.