4.2 Early warning signs
In Week 1 you identified some of the behaviours and emotions that you can look out for in learners as a reflection of their mental health (Sections 3.1 and 3.2 and Activity 4). Now consider more early warning signs that may be identified, perhaps in a follow-up conversation in person, on the phone or online with your learner.
There may be a need for some mental health support if one, or more, of the following are being experienced:
- mood swings or constantly feeling low
- lack of care for personal appearance or personal responsibilities
- increased use of mood enhancing substances including alcohol or drugs
- expressing thoughts that life is not worth living
- losing interest in things they used to enjoy
- withdrawing from social activities and spending less time with friends and family
- disturbed sleep, either not getting enough or sleeping too much
- eating less than normal or overeating, perhaps losing or gaining significant weight
- being irritable, over-sensitive or aggressive
- having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- experiencing recurring physical symptoms such as aches and pains or other unexplained illnesses
- a drop in academic performance
- doing things that do not make sense to others
- hearing or seeing things that no one else can hear or see.
(NI Direct, 2021)
If you identify any of these warning signs in learners, then it is important that you explore possible means of support with them.