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.
