Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It can affect how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood through to adulthood. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry. Life experiences such as abuse or trauma and family history of mental health problems can also be influencers to our own mental health. How do you know if your self or someone else is dealing with mental health concerns? Here are some potential early warning signs:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Two million Canadians suffer from mental health problems at any given time.
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. Mental health problems can affect our thinking, mood, and behavior. Mental health problems are common. We at CFS can help you or a loved one maintaining healthy “Mental Health”.