To mark #WorldMentalHealthDay, members of our ED&I council came together to share advice on identifying early warning signs of deteriorating mental health and what to do if you are struggling with your mental wellbeing.
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It can be negatively impacted by such things as worrying about family members, dealing with uncertainties, or poor work/life balance.
It’s very easy to miss some of the early warning signs of mental health issues as they tend to develop over time. Some of the most common signs to look out for are:
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Extremely high and low moods
- Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
If you are experiencing problems with your mental health, what can you do?
Talk to someone
Although conversation may seem insignificant, it is extremely necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in different thoughts and emotions. This can be talking to someone about a problem that’s troubling you or just having a general chat. Communication helps achieve a better state of mind.
Talking may not always feel good, but it is always part of the healing process and will benefit you in the long run. Talking to someone who will listen without judging when you’re feeling down or frustrated gives you the freedom to express yourself.
If you are uncertain about talking to someone in person, don’t forget there are many organisations that provide a phone service or an online service.
Our ED&I Council has compiled contact details of organisations that might be in your area. Click on the link below:
Learn about mental health and wellbeing
Reading or researching verified mental health information can help improve your wellbeing. Attending a programme or enrolling in a course can also help. There are many courses available that can assist an individual and introduce coping strategies to help with their mental health experiences.
One of the programmes available across Great Britain and Ireland is ‘Living Life to the Full’. This is a course that covers topics around low mood, stress, and resilience. It was developed by an accredited CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) practitioner who is also an expert in education and training. Dr. Chris Williams, Emeritus Professor of Psychosocial Psychiatry University of Glasgow, is frequently recommended by health practitioners and is available online.
Aware, a charity in Ireland and Northern Ireland has been delivering the ‘Living Life to the Full’ programme. See here:
Aware (Ireland) | Living Life to the Full (llttf.com)
Living Life to the Full – Aware NI (aware-ni.org)
Spread the word, small suggestions on how to help a friend or family member can make a big difference to them when they are feeling down or experiencing low mood or anxiety.
Life is a journey, sometimes it’s blue sky and sunshine, admiring the view from the peaks. Whereas sometimes it seems far harder, a struggle which feels constantly as if we’re going uphill with storms, and it can feel lonely and cold. – LLTTF.com
Helen Emerson, Dania Gohar, Tammaryn Steers – Bidvest Noonan ED&I Council Members