Sometimes we need help.
We need the strength to get better.
Sometimes that strength comes from the love of others.
Do not be afraid to reach out to others when you need it. Do not give up.
Know The Warning Signs
Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of mental illness isn't always easy.
There's no easy test that can let someone know if there is a mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.
Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
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Excessive worrying or fear
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Feeling excessively sad or low
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Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
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Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
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Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
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Avoiding friends and social activities
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Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
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Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
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Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
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Changes in sex drive
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Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)
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Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)
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Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
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Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
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Thinking about suicide
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Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
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An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
General support, information & further numbers if you need someone to talk to:
MIND
www.mind.co.uk
Mental health charity in England and Wales. Excellent, clear, and easy to understand information about all things concerning mental health.
MIND info line for confidential mental health information and support 0300 123 3393
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
24-hour helpline: 116 125
jo@samaritans.org
Non-directive support for anyone feeling isolated, distressed or struggling to cope.
Royal College of Psychiatrists – expert advice pages
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/expert advice
An excellent resource for information surrounding mental illness approved by the RCOP. Thorough and detailed.
Further Resources:
CALM
www.thecalmzone.net
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) campaigns to reduce male suicide and improve men’s mental health. It provides a helpline from 5pm-12am 365 days a year: 0800 58 58 58
Nightline
www.nightline.org.uk
open from 6pm to 8am every night of term
0207 631 0101
A confidential listening, support and practical information service for students in London.
Self Injury Support
www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
0117 927 9600
text support: 0780 047 2908
Information and support for people who self-harm, including template for a self-harm diary and local support groups for men and women.
SANE
www.sane.org.uk
Mental Health Charity Providing information, resources and emotional support
Out-of -house Helpline from 6pm-11pm: 0845 767 8000
The Mix
www.themix.org.uk
Support for people aged 16–25.
National Self Harm Network (NSHN)
ww.nshn.co.uk
Survivor-led forum for people who self-harm, friends and families.
YoungMinds
www.youngminds.org.uk
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544
Information for parents and young people about mental health and wellbeing.
