By Peta Sigley, CEO & Co-founder at Springfox
National days like R U OK? Day (Sept 14) go a long way to raise awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues in our community and the importance of checking in on those around us. Despite this, research from R U OK? revealed 63% of people weren’t confident they knew the signs of someone struggling, and 41% avoided asking the question because of this.
However, almost half of those surveyed said they’d be more confident starting a conversation if they knew the signs. So, what exactly should we be looking out for?
They appear fatigued, unwell, or burnt out
It’s normal to feel tired from the busyness of everyday life, but appearing noticeably fatigued, unwell, or burnt out for more than a few days is a common sign that someone might be struggling with their mental health. They may frequently take time off work due to feeling run down or exhausted, may sleep more often or for longer periods, or may appear to have less energy than usual.
While fatigue is a normal part of life, constant fatigue is often a sign of an underlying condition. Look out for signs of someone appearing run down or lethargic in their demeanour. They may appear pale, ‘washed out’ or adopt a slouching posture, show signs of clumsiness or slowed reaction times, or fall sick more often than usual.
They appear indecisive or easily confused
‘Brain Fog’ is a term many people use to describe feeling forgetful, indecisive, unfocused, or unable to think clearly. Brain fog can stem from a range of factors including stress, overworking, hormone changes, a lack of sleep, or medical conditions including mental health conditions.
If you notice someone is suddenly struggling to focus, appearing more forgetful or absent-minded, is more easily distracted than usual, or is having difficulty grasping concepts they’d usually pick up easily, it might be a sign of brain fog, which could be indicative of something more serious.
Their mood has changed
Feeling irritable, sad, or angry from time to time is completely normal, but persistent feelings of sadness, unusual bouts of irritability, or a shorter temper than normal could be a sign that someone isn’t coping.
Take note of facial expressions, body language, and behaviours. Do they seem to be frowning, tense, or teary-eyed? Do they appear avoidant, aggressive, or withdrawn? Do they tend to snap or lash out, or are they unusually emotional?
Remember that mood changes will be easier to spot in some people than others and your ability to identify potentially concerning changes will often depend on your relationship to the person. It’s also important to remember that many people struggling with their mental health will attempt to mask how they’re feeling, so paying close attention to all other potential signs will be crucial.
Their diet or eating habits have changed
Mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression can have a direct effect on our appetites and eating habits. Common signs include overeating or undereating, or changes in the types of food someone might normally eat.
Someone suffering from anxiety, for example, may experience stomach issues or a loss of appetite, resulting in skipped meals or difficulty finishing what’s on their plate. Similarly, someone experiencing severe stress might simply forget to eat, while others may find they have no energy to prepare a meal for themselves. On the flip side, some people may instead find they have an increased appetite, prompting them to overeat and lean into comfort foods that are typically processed, carb-heavy or high in sugar.
They’re neglecting exercise
It’s no secret that regular exercise helps us lead happier and healthier lives. Not only does exercise have numerous benefits for physical health, but it can also improve our mood, energy, sleep quality, and self-esteem. Regular exercise can also reduce our risk of mental illnesses such as stress and clinical depression.
Exercise and mental health are closely intertwined. The link between the two is, however, a slightly complicated one, as a lack of exercise can be both a cause and consequence of poor mental health.
If a friend or co-worker suddenly seems to no longer be exercising, playing sports, or engaging in any of their other regular forms of physical activity, this might be a red flag that they’re struggling and need help.
They’ve withdrawn from social activities
Having to cancel or postpone a social event isn’t unusual—after all, life happens. However, social withdrawal and isolation are some of the most common and telling symptoms of poor mental health, and while we all enjoy our downtime to rest and recharge, avoiding connection with others could be a red flag.
If someone is repeatedly cancelling plans, avoiding social gatherings, not responding to invitations or messages, or isolating themselves from family, friends, or colleagues, it could be a sign that they’re dealing with something difficult.
The signs of mental ill-health will be different for everyone, but these are some of the more common red flags we can all look out for. If you’ve identified one or more of these in a friend, family member, or co-worker, it might be time to reach out and ask the all-important question—R U OK?.
Some tips for starting the conversation
- Choose a private moment—give them a call or invite them over for a coffee.
- Mention the changes you’ve noticed in them without passing judgement.
- Allow them to share how they’re feeling and try to ask follow-up questions to learn more about what they’re experiencing.
- Avoid giving advice—ask what they’d like to do or how they’d like you to help.
- Remember to keep checking in and remind them that you’re there to support them.
