Mental Fitness: Knowing the Signs of a Mental Health Crisis

Knowing the Signs & Symptoms of a Mental Health Crisis

By Steven Gamble | Founder, Man Anchor

I’ve been often quoted that knowing the more common signs of a mental health disorder is equally important as knowing resuscitation—both can have a profound impact on the lives of our loved ones and the wider community.

When we look statistically at mental health in Australia, 1 in 5 Australians will experience a common mental illness within a 12-month period. The 3 most common mental illnesses affecting Australians aged between 16 – 85 include Anxiety disorders 14%, Depressive and Bipolar disorders 6.2% and Substance Use disorders. Of the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health disorder, only 35% seek professional support.

So let’s stop for one moment and think about that statistic - 1 in 5, or 20%, of all Australians will be affected by a mental illness in one year, and now let’s think about our friends, family and work colleagues, statistically we will all know someone or will experience a disorder ourselves.

So knowing the above stats is important that we all have a basic understanding of the more common triggers, signs and symptoms of a worsening or developing mental health problem or illness to be able to support our own wellbeing and that of our loved ones.

Like any illness, early intervention is the key to a successful treatment, and being able to recognise these more common signs can be the catalyst for positive professional intervention.

On the following page, there is a basic list of the more common triggers to a mental health crisis. Knowing that you, or a loved one, has experienced a potential trigger and is then presenting with two or more of these common signs and symptoms, it is important that you or the individual seek clinical support.

A ‘Sign’ is what you can see in someone, and a ‘Symptom’ is what someone can feel and experience.

and that the reality is that someone living with a mental health disorder may not show any of the signs or symptoms outlined below. That is why it is important that, as a community, we continue to build a positive culture around mental health, and remove the perceived stigma and barriers to create opportunities for those who feel isolated to reach out for support.

Common Triggers To Developing Mental Heath Crisis Or Illness • Stress • Loss of a loved one • Traumatic events • Relationship breakdown • Alcohol and drug abuse • Trauma • Bullying and intimidation • Social pressures and expectations • Financial expectations • Workplace pressures • Personal unrealistic expectations • Discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity • Domestic violence • Infertility and perinatal loss • Pregnancy • Menopause

If you or a loved one needs support, Lifeline is there 24/7, 365 days a year. Phone 13 11 14.

Common Signs & Symptoms of a Mental Heath Crisis Or Illness Behaviour • Withdrawn • Not able to complete tasks • Relying on alcohol or drugs • Lack of concentration • Abstaining from social events Feelings • Overwhelmed • Guilty • Frustrated or irritable • Low confidence • Unhappy or miserable • Indecisive • Disappointed Physical • Tired all the time • Sick and run down • Headaches and muscle pain • Churning stomach • Loss or change in appetite • Significant weight loss or gain •

Further Information If you’d like further details, or are keen to run a mental fitness program at your organisation, contact Donna South (National Manager Membership & Marketing, Weld Australia) on d.south@weldaustralia.com.au or 0409 609 031. Weld Australia has partnered with Man Anchor and Gotcha4Life to help build the mental fitness of Australia’s welders. All information in this document was supplied courtesy of Man Anchor. Weld Australia would like to thank Man Anchor for making this important information available.