1 in 5 Americans currently live with a mental health condition. More than 51 million adults in the United States face the reality of managing a mental illness every day.
Getting Help Early
The average delay between symptom onset of a mental health condition and treatment is 11 years. That means if someone begins experiencing major depression at 14, they are unlikely to receive help until age 25. For young people, that means suffering for almost half of their entire life before getting the help they need.
Instead of waiting a long time before getting help, you can make the first step by talking to a compassionate mental health professional in-person or by telehealth. 1-877-645-9675 or request an appointment online.
Common Signs to Watch For
Everyone can feel overwhelmed, confused, or experience anger, grief or guilt. Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn’t always easy. There’s no easy test that can let someone know if actions and thoughts are typical behaviors or the result of a mental or physical illness.
Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
Learning that someone you love has a mental health condition can be frightening. Download Navigating a Mental Health Crisis.
Check Out These Tools
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step. Having a conversation about mental health might be uncomfortable, but it can make all the difference. Check out these tools – from conversation guides to tips –that can help you help those in need.
Concerned about a friend?
Testing, group chats, and DMs can indicate that something is off.
Keep an eye out for these signs that could indicate your friend is struggling with their mental health:
- Posting captions, hashtags, or emojis that are overtly sad or negative- they go beyond sarcastic jokes.
- Liking posts or following accounts that promote negative behaviors– even if they aren’t sharing it to their feeds.
- Writing posts or comments that show impulsive behavior, irritability, hostility, or indicate insomnia.
Whether it’s on social media, in group chats, or during a hangout – if you suspect your friend is struggling, trust your gut.
Contact Our Canyonlands Mental Health Professionals
We are here to help and are providing in-person and telehealth services. Call 1-877-645-9675
If you are in crisis, please call 1-800-631-1314. View these 24 hour crisis hotlines in Arizona.
Teens and Young Children
Mental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children. Because they’re still learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are behavioral. Symptoms in children may include the following:
- Changes in school performance
- Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
- Hyperactive behavior
- Frequent nightmares
- Frequent disobedience or aggression
- Frequent temper tantrums
Canyonlands provides an integrated mental health approach that includes individual and family counseling, psychotherapy services, evaluations and drug and alcohol treatment. We offer integrated health care — a collaboration between your primary care physician and mental health therapist to address your physical, psychological and emotional needs.
Read critical information about Depression and Youth as a result of the pandemic.
