Early Warning Signs

How we think, feel and act is all affected by our mental health. Just the term mental health can sound heavy with stigma, but there should be no shame in taking care of your mental health.

Our mental health includes emotional, psychological and social well-being and determines how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders is possible just as preventing physical illness.  

Mental health problems are common and when treated may lead to recovery. Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

  • Having low or no energy and eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Severe mood swings that cause relationship problems
  • Persistent thoughts and memories that you can’t get out of your head
  • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, upset, worried or scared
  • Pulling away from people and activities once enjoyed
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others

People often don’t get the help they need because they don’t know where to start or are afraid they will look weak. Mental health services may be available to you through your health insurance plan or company EAP (Emotional Assistance Program). You can also visit https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help for more information about how to get mental health help.“Stress, anxiety and depression are caused when we are living to please others.”   Paulo Coelho