Mental Health Awareness Tips

How can you identify and help a student with a potential mental illness? First, awareness is key. Be aware of the warning signs and changes in student behavior. If you have access to a school counselor, he or she can be a valuable resource for students who may have potential mental health needs. If there isn’t a school counselor readily available in your school or district, there should be a district policy or procedure you should follow to help students with potential mental health issues.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, warning signs of a mental illness include:

1. Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than a two week period.

2. Trying to harm or kill oneself, or making plans to do so.

3. Severe mood swings.

4. Drastic changes in behavior, personality, or sleeping habits.

5. Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors that can cause harm to self or others.

6. Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, including a racing heart, physical discomfort, or fast breathing.

7. Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities.

8. Significant weight loss or gain.

9. Repeated use of drugs or alcohol.

10. Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that can lead to issues in school.