Signs You Need To Care For Your Mental Health

By: Rock Abrahamson

Mental Health Awareness Month is fittingly celebrated in May. Between the chaos of school ending, the seasons changing, and schedules adjusting, we could all use an extra reminder to focus on our mental health. Whether outwardly physical, mental, within your career, or in your social interactions, your body will signal that you need to slow down and focus on your mental health. 

Physical indications that you need to focus on your mental health include:

  • Falling behind on personal hygiene

  • Not keeping up with medical needs

  • Disrupted sleep or a change in sleeping patterns

  • Change in appetite (not eating, over-eating)

  • Worsening physical symptoms such as heart rate, acne, sweating, dizziness, headache, GI symptoms, muscle pain, chest pain

  • Low energy

  • Less vocal tone variation or change in vocal volume

  • Blunted facial expressions

  • Crying more than usual

  • Change in sex drive

Signs in your social life may include:

  • Isolating yourself from family and friends or not reaching out to others

  • Avoiding social situations

  • Avoiding questions about yourself or your mental health

  • Loss of interest in activities that previously brought joy

  • Increase in risk-taking behaviors

  • Aggression towards others

  • Loss of joy or enjoyment of life

Mental or emotional symptoms involve:

  • Unsafe or suicidal thoughts or actions

  • Irritability or experiencing heightened emotions

  • Personality changes

  • Thoughts not based in reality

  • Feeling nervous or uneasy

  • Inability to perceive changes in one’s feelings, behavior, or personality

  • Mood swings

  • Loss of motivation or focus

  • Increased concern with appearance

Signals in your work life encompass:

  • You’ve become sarcastic and cynical about your work or your future

  • Feeling less productive

  • Falling behind on your work

  • New or increased conflicts with coworkers and supervisors

  • Increased tardiness or absences

  • Loss of motivation to succeed

  • Sudden desire to quit or change careers

Recognizing you need to devote more time and energy to your mental health is the first, and often hardest, step. Luckily, there are many things you can do for yourself and resources available to help you get back to feeling your best!

Some ways to improve your mental health include:

  • Take a mental health day or time off if you can

  • Dedicate more time to your mental health

  • Engage in your hobbies or try something new

  • Limit screentime

  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep

  • Eat well-rounded, healthy meals

  • Practice mindfulness and meditation

  • Spend time outside

  • Move your body for at least 30 minutes a day

  • Hydrate and limit caffeine

  • Spend time with loved ones

  • Speak with someone you trust or a health professional

  • Reach out to see what resources your employer may be able to provide you with within your job

  • Avoid excessive alcohol or drug consumption

  • Follow up with a mental health professional

  • HALT -  are you: hungry, angry, lonely, tired

Additionally, there are lots of people who want to help you! Keeping your close circle informed will allow them to support you. Of course, many outside resources are available to you no matter your situation.

National Resources Include:

If you are in immediate distress,

Call 911.

  1. Go to the emergency room at your local hospital.

  2. Find a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

National Crisis Lines

  1. Crisis Text Line - Text HOME or HOLA or AYUDA to 741741 or text to 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp

  2. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 

    • 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

    • Spanish: 1-888-628-9454

    • For Deaf and Hard of Hearing -  1-800-799-4889

    • For TTY Users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

  3. National Domestic Violence Hotline - (800) 799-7233

  4. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline - (800) 422-4453

  5. National Sexual Assault Hotline - (800) 656-4673

  6. Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990

  7. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

  8. SAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-4357 - treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

  9. The Trevor Project - 1-866-488-7386 - crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth

  10. Warmline Directory - phone, chat, or text lines that provide empathetic listening and peer support to individuals who may be experiencing distress or loneliness, or those seeking validation from a peer with lived experience who identifies with their concerns and can offer a confidential and non-judgmental space for connection and self-directed exploration of possible solutions and alternatives.

Additional National Resources

  1. OASAS - Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services - 1-877-846-7369

  2. National Eating Disorders Association- 1-800-931-2237

  3. National Mental Health Association - 703-684-7722

  4. National Alliance on Mental Illness - 800-950-NAMI or 703-524-7600

  5. American Psychiatric Association - 1-888-357-7924

  6. American Psychological Association - 202-336-5500 / 1-800-374-2721

  7. Association for Children’s Mental Health - 517-372-4016 / 1-888-226-4523

  8. National Institute of Mental Health - 1-866-615-6464

  9. Mental Health Empowerment Project - 518-434-1393

  10. National Council for Mental Wellbeing - 202.684.7457

  11. Additional Hotlines

  12. U.S. Department of Labor Resources

 
 

If this helped you, it might help someone else too. Share this blog post with someone who needs a reminder they’re not alone:

Lika Gemica