Author: Isabella Adams, MSW
Caring for your mental health is one of the best investments you can make. In this series, we’ll share practical strategies and encouraging perspectives to help you navigate stress, build resilience, and create more space for the things that bring you peace.
Mental wellbeing refers to social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing and it encompasses our ability to make decisions, handle stressors, and it affects the way we feel, think, and act. Positive mental wellbeing is representative of resilience to stressors and the ability to appropriately navigate life’s challenges. When mental wellbeing begins to deteriorate, our ability to manage these stressors deteriorates as well.
Early warning signs of deteriorating mental wellbeing can be difficult to recognize in ourselves and our loved ones. Being aware of common warning signs can provide an opportunity to address the concern early on and reduce the severity of its impact. Experiencing the onset of one or more of these symptoms may be indicative of an underlying mental health concern.
- Low or no energy during the day, even after sleeping the night before
- Sudden shifts in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Sudden mood and behavior shifts
- Difficulty with or an inability managing daily tasks
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Difficulty concentrating and/or memory concerns
- Persistent feelings of worry, hopelessness, or helplessness
- Racing thoughts that induce feelings of fear, shame, or lowered self-worth
- Increased or sudden usage of substances
Are you or a loved one struggling with managing your mental health? Here are some ways to cope with the effects and to seek further assistance in managing it.
- Practice good sleep hygiene to promote restful sleep
- Participate in productive self-care activities
- Develop positive coping skills and be aware of unhealthy habits
- Seek assistance from supportive and/or professional resources
National crisis lifeline: call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org, to connect with a counselor. Counselors are available 24/7/365 and all communication is free and confidential.
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