Mental Health

Refers to cognitive, behavioural and emotional well-being. These aspects have an impact on one’s ability to:

• Function effectively in everyday activities such as work, school and leisure
• Relate to others and maintain healthy relationships
• Make effective decisions
• Solve problems
• Adapt to change
• Cope with and overcome difficult circumstances
• Manage stress

Depression

Depression varies from person to person, however, there are common symptoms. These symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Intense periods of sadness
• Constant feelings of hopelessness
• Lack of interest or enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities (e.g. social activities, work, spending time with family etc.)
• Significant changes in sleeping patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Significant changes in appetite and weight
• Constant fatigue or loss of energy
• Difficulty concentrating or being easily distracted or forgetful. 
• Intense feelings of worthlessness
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or suicide attempt

Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion that is characterized by excessive fear, worry or tension that might lead to one experiencing physical changes such as an increased heart rate, unexplained chest pains, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, sweating or cold chills, unexplained dizziness, feeling agitated, irritable or restless. Other symptoms of anxiety include:

• Difficulty concentrating or being easily distracted or forgetful
• Unexplained fatigue
• Sleep disturbance, usually insomnia

Anxiety disorders have a negative impact on one’s functioning and may thus negatively impact one’s quality of life.

Please note that this is a generic list and does not apply to a specific anxiety disorder.

Suicide Risk Factors

A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors that contribute to the risk of suicide. These risk factors may include:

• A physical or mental illness
• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
• Previous suicide attempt
• History of substance use or abuse
• History of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse
• Lack of social support
• Change if family circumstances (e.g. separation or divorce, loss of income, unemployment etc.)
• Access to ways of harming oneself, for example, guns, knives, medication etc.
• Impulsive or aggressive behaviour

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you know or suspect that someone is at immediate risk of self harm or suicide, you can assist in the following ways

• Contact a mental health practitioner
• Remove any dangerous items, e.g. guns, knives, ropes, medication or any other thing that the person may use to cause harm to themselves
• Contact the nearest clinic or hospital
• Stay with the person until help arrives
• Find out if the person has used alcohol, drugs or medication. This information will be needed by the clinic, hospital or health care provider
• Don’t judge the person. Listen and show empathy
• Follow up with the person after the suicide threat or attempt and offer your support