Returning to work after the Christmas holidays with the cold, dark mornings and evenings can be depressing for most of us, but for some January can be particularly difficult. We should all be mindful of the mental health of those around us, either at work or socially at this time of year especially.
Mental health issues are getting much more prominence in the media as high-profile celebrities and charities are promoting their messages to help support those in need and urging them to seek help, but would you know what to do if you or someone you know needs help?
The signs to look for
Recognising the signs for mental health issues isn’t necessarily easy but some of the things you can look for are:
- Feeling emotionally low, sad or down
- Excessive worrying, fears or guilt
- Mood swings
- Confusion or inability to concentrate
- Withdrawal from normal activities and socialising
- Fatigue and sleeping issues
- Not coping well with problems
- Being unable to understand and relate to people
- Detachment from reality including hallucinations, paranoia or delusions
- Drug or alcohol misuse
- Excessive aggression
- Big changes in eating habits
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-harming
Seeking help for yourself
If you think you are suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, depression or any other form of poor mental health, you should seek help from your GP and talk to friends and family. Talking about what is happening to you and how you feel is the most important first step. You need to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Try to keep a regular schedule and ensure that you get enough sleep. Good nutrition and exercise are also important.
There are also a wide variety of mental health organisations set up to support the needs of various mental health issues and a list is available on the NHS website. Talking to one of these can help you especially if you don’t feel you can talk to friends and family.
Supporting others
If you think someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, you should try to have an open and honest conversation with them to express your concerns. You should encourage them to seek support from their GP and reach out to one of the many support organisations for help.
Whatever is happening for you or someone else, don’t ignore it and seek support as it may only escalate if not addressed. Take care of yourself and others and make 2020 a happy and healthy year.