While mental illness is a catchall for an array of disorders that affect the way a person thinks, feels or behaves, there are common signs that indicate a person is struggling with such a condition. During Mental Health Awareness Month, take time to learn the common signs because the earlier mental illness is diagnosed, the sooner effective treatments can begin:
•Excessive worrying, fear, sadness or anger
•Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
•Extreme mood changes
•Avoiding friends and social activities
•Inability to carry out daily activities
•Changes in sleeping habits/loss of energy
•Changes in eating habits
•Experiencing delusions or hallucinations
•Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
•Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes
•Suicidal thoughts
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a more thorough list here: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Know-the-Warning-Signs. To get help, contact NewBridge Services at services@newbridge.org or 973-316-9333. Visit newbrige.org for more information.
About NewBridge
NewBridge Services, a 501c(3) nonprofit, is a premier provider of counseling services, housing and educational programs in northern New Jersey serving 10,000 adults and seniors last year alone. NewBridge treats mental illnesses and addictions; teaches skills for coping with stress, grief and challenging relationships; builds and manages affordable housing; offers school-based programs that teach children and adolescents resiliency skills for healthy emotional development; helps young adults succeed in their education and prepare for careers; and supports seniors so they can remain independent. Throughout its more than 50-year history, NewBridge has remained true to its mission of bringing balance to people’s lives by tracking shifts in communities’ needs and providing innovative, effective programs to meet them.