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Mental health is the wellness of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The state of your mental health affects how you act, think, and feel about the world around you. A healthy mental state is important at every stage of life, from childhood to older adulthood.

Where do I start?

Identifying the signs of emotional suffering in yourself and the people around you is an excellent place to start. Understanding when someone is struggling with mental illness or a mental disorder gives you the power to act, empower, and protect that person.

Know the warning signs of emotional suffering

Personality Changes
This change doesn't seem to fit the person's values or typical habits. These changes may include:

• Sleeping much more or less
• Increased issues with self-esteem
• Apathy
• Difficulty dealing with stress
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Low energy
• Extreme Sadness

Feeling Withdrawn
Similar to personality changes, you may notice the person is less interested in engaging socially or in activities they typically enjoy. They may struggle with the following:

• Isolate and withdraw from families and friends
• Stop taking part in activities they typically enjoy
• Struggle to make it to work, school, or other responsibilities
• Pull away from social support
• May delete social media
• Start giving away important possessions or financial assets

Feeling Agitated
The person may experience more emotional swings, especially negative emotions. This often includes:

• Sudden bursts of anger
• Inability to cope
• Irritability
• High anxiety
• Racing or clouded thoughts
• Talks too much or too little
• Difficulty paying attention
• Inner tension
• Increase in impulsive actions

Feeling Hopeless
The person used to be optimistic but now they can't find anything to be hopeful about. They may be:

• Overwhelmed
• Apathetic
• Suffer from extreme or prolonged grief
• Have feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Say the world would be better off without them
• Looking in to ways to buy guns, save pills, research suicide methods, or do other things to prepare for suicide

Poor Self Care
You may notice signs the person is not taking care of their body or living environment. This may include:

• Stop taking care of themselves (stopped showering, wearing clothes several days in a row, stop getting haircuts, gain or lose a lot of weight, stop eating or over eat, stop brushing their teeth, stop cleaning their home, etc.)
• Engaging in risky behavior
• Exercising poor judgement
• Abuse substances (alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, etc.)

I know someone showing signs of emotional suffering. What do I do?

Now it is the time to act.

Be the first:

To Ask
Start a conversation. Tell them you have noticed a few things from the 5 signs.

• "I've noticed....."
• "You seem different..."
• "Seems like something is on your mind."
• "Are you suicidal?"
• If YES, "Do you have a plan?"
• "How do you hurt?" and "How can I help?"
• Focus on their reasons for living and not your reasons for them to stay alive.

Be There

• Let them know you are there for them and that you care for them.
• Take them seriously, don't judge.
• Actively listen.
• Ask open ended questions. These are questions that keep them talking and don't allow Yes or No responses.
• Listen and reflect back what they have said.
• Do not commit to anything you are not willing or able to accomplish.

Keep Them Safe
This step is all about showing support for someone.

• Never leave them alone if they are suicidal.
• Knowing the person's plan will let you know the severity of danger the person is in.
• Reduce access to lethal items or places.
• This step may include calling for emergency help like 911.

Help them Connect

• Help them develop a safety plan including a list of individuals they can contact and plans for a mental health crisis.
• Help connect them with someone they trust. They may include the 988 Suicide Prevention hotline, a parent or family member, a teacher/counselor/principal, a social worker, 911 or an emergency room.

Follow Up
After you have helped them connect and made a safety plan, make sure to follow up to see how they are doing:

• Regularly leave messages, send a text, or give them a call.
• Check in and see if there is more you are capable of helping with.
• Follow up with anything you said you would do.

You are not responsible for knowing what to do. Just find someone who does.

Note: #BeThere and #BeThe1To information from the CDC and BeThe1To.

Resources:

Local Suicide Coalitions
Offer education to community members and schools, provide QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings, coordinate local community events, bring speakers to the area, and raise awareness to end the stigma around suicide and mental disorders.

Access the Health District 5 Suicide Prevention Gaps and Needs Analysis here:

Health District 5 Suicide Prevention Gaps and Needs Analysis

Videos

Other Links
Seize the Awkward
Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline
Crisis Center of South Central Idaho
988 Suicide and crisis hotline
The Crisis Hotline
Simply Hope - Family Outreach
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Be The One website