Signs Someone is Struggling with Their Mental Health: What to Look For and How to Help

By paying attention to the signs, we can offer a lifeline to those who need it most.

It was a Sunday afternoon when I first noticed it. We were all gathered for brunch, chatting and laughing like we usually did, but something was different about Maya. She sat there quietly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. When asked how she was doing, she responded with her usual, "I'm fine," and quickly changed the subject. But the truth was written in her silence, in the way her shoulders slumped just a little more than usual. She wasn’t fine, and the signs were there, if only we had known how to see them.

Mental health struggles often hide in plain sight. The people we care about may be silently battling anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress, but they may not know how to express it or may not want to burden others with their pain. Knowing the signs of mental health struggles can make all the difference in offering support. Here’s what to look out for, based on real experiences that many of us have seen but may not have fully understood.

Mood Swings

One of the most common signs of mental health struggles is a change in mood. While everyone experiences fluctuations in mood from time to time, a persistent change that lasts for weeks or longer can be a red flag. Pay attention to these changes:

• Anger: Someone who is usually calm may become easily frustrated, quick to anger, or agitated over small things.

• Sadness: Feeling down occasionally is normal, but if someone is consistently sad, tearful, or expressing feelings of hopelessness, they may be experiencing depression.

• Restlessness: Constant worry, fear, or restlessness can be a sign of anxiety. If someone appears to be frequently nervous or overwhelmed, it might be time to check in with them.

• Emotional Numbness: Some people may withdraw emotionally and appear numb or detached from their feelings. This can manifest as apathy or lack of interest in things that once brought joy.

Behaviour Changes / Withdrawal from Social Interactions

Isolation is a common response when someone is struggling with their mental health. They may begin to pull away from friends, family, and social activities that they used to enjoy. This withdrawal can look like:

• Giving up Hobbies: Whether it's a sport, creative outlet, or favorite pastime, someone who is struggling with their mental health may stop participating in activities they used to love.

• Avoiding Social Events: Skipping parties, gatherings, or even casual hangouts without a clear reason.

• Decreased Communication: They may stop reaching out, answering texts, or returning calls. Their usual social interactions may dwindle, leading to further isolation.

• Neglecting Responsibilities: Mental health struggles can make even basic tasks, like cleaning, paying bills, or running errands, feel overwhelming. You might notice they start neglecting their personal or professional responsibilities.

• Lack of Interest in Relationships: If someone who is typically outgoing or engaged suddenly becomes distant and indifferent toward their relationships, it could be a sign of emotional distress.

Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Mental health issues don’t just affect the mind—they can also manifest in physical ways. Some of the common physical symptoms include:

• Frequent Headaches or Stomach Aches: Stress, anxiety, and depression often cause physical discomfort, such as headaches, stomach pains, or unexplained body aches.

• Chronic Fatigue: Feeling exhausted despite getting enough sleep may be a sign of mental health struggles. This could be linked to depression or anxiety, which can drain a person’s energy.

• Changes in Appetite: Mental health issues can cause someone to lose their appetite or, conversely, start overeating as a way to cope with their emotions.

Expressing Feelings of Hopelessness or Helplessness

If someone is constantly talking about feeling worthless, like a burden to others, or expressing hopelessness about their future, it’s important to take these statements seriously. This can be a sign of severe depression, and in some cases, suicidal ideation.

• Self-Harm: In some cases, self-harm behaviors (such as cutting) may emerge as a way to cope with emotional pain.

• Suicidal Thoughts: Any mention of wanting to harm themselves, feeling like life isn’t worth living, or giving away possessions should be taken seriously. Immediate intervention is necessary.

Changes in Sleep Patterns

Mental health struggles often disrupt normal sleep patterns. This can take the form of:

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to get back to sleep.

• Oversleeping: On the other hand, someone may start sleeping excessively, using sleep as a way to escape from their emotions or problems.

• Restlessness During Sleep: Even if they seem to be sleeping enough, someone struggling with their mental health may toss and turn, have frequent nightmares, or wake up feeling exhausted.

Substance Abuse or Risky Behaviors

Mental health struggles can lead some people to engage in substance abuse or other risky behaviors as a way to cope with emotional pain. Signs to look out for include:

• Increased Alcohol or Drug Use: Turning to alcohol or drugs more frequently than usual, or using substances as a way to escape from their feelings, is a serious warning sign.

• Engaging in Dangerous Behaviors: Reckless driving, excessive spending, or engaging in unsafe activities may be a way for someone to cope with overwhelming emotions or mental health issues.

How You can Help

Recognizing the signs of a mental health struggle is only the first step. The next step is knowing how to offer support. Here’s how you can help:

• Start a Conversation: Express your concern in a non-judgmental way. Let them know you’ve noticed changes and that you’re there for them. You can say something like, “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a little different lately. How are you doing?”

  
  

• Listen Without Judgment: If they open up, let them talk without interrupting or offering immediate solutions. Sometimes, just being heard is what they need most.

  
  

• Encourage Professional Help: Suggest that they seek help from a mental health professional. Offer to help them find resources, such as a therapist, or assist them in making an appointment.

  
  

• Check-In Regularly: Keep reaching out. Consistent support can make a huge difference, especially for someone who feels isolated.

  
  

• Offer Practical Help: Sometimes offering to do small tasks like running an errand or cooking a meal can relieve some of the stress they’re feeling.

Mental health struggles can be invisible, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Sometimes the strongest people are the ones silently fighting the hardest battles. By paying attention to the signs, we can offer a lifeline to those who need it most. You never know when your support could be the difference between someone feeling alone and feeling seen.

If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. You don’t have to face this journey alone. Reach out, speak up, and let’s work together to break the silence around mental health.