Mental Health Early Warning Signs

Public Health Agency

There are some early warning signs that may indicate mental ill-health or a mental health problem:

  • mood swings or a consistently lower mood
  • lack of care for personal appearance or personal responsibilities
  • increased use of alcohol or other drugs
  • talking about not wanting to live
  • loss of interest in doing things you previously enjoyed
  • withdrawing from social activities or spending less time with family and friends
  • disturbed sleep, not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much
  • eating less than normal or overeating, perhaps losing or gaining weight
  • being more irritable, over-sensitive or aggressive
  • having difficulty following a conversation, remembering things or concentrating
  • experiencing recurring physical symptoms such as aches and pains or unexplained illnesses
  • a drop in work performance
  • doing things that don’t make sense to others
  • hearing or seeing things that no one else can hear or see.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these, help is available.

Useful resources

The EA currently have 345 staff on our Mental Health First Aider network. The Mental...
These five directories list the names, numbers and web addresses (where applicable) of...
Inspire Workplaces (one of the new names for Carecall and EAP Consultants), is a leading...

Helplines & Web Chats

Samaritans
Action Mental Health
Association for Post-Natal Illness Helpline
Aware NI - Support Groups
Aware NI - Online Support Groups
Mind - Side by Side Online Community