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| Meta Title | Signs someone may be struggling | Active Minds |
| Meta Description | If you recognize any of these signs for more than several days in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help should always be your first step. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Never be afraid to ask for help
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Many people battle with mental illness, and you may not always understand what’s going on in your mind or with your emotions and thoughts.
These signs are not always universal.
Some people may show behavioral changes, while others show physical symptoms, and some may show both or neither. However, if you recognize any of these signs for more than several days in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help should always be your first step so they can get the care they need.
Signs to watch out for
Here are twelve signs of someone going through a tough time that you might notice in yourself or a loved one that are good reasons to reach out and talk with someone.
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness,
depressed mood, poor self-esteem, or guilt
Withdrawal
from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
. Are you sleeping all the time or having trouble falling asleep? Are you gaining weight or never hungry?
Anger, rage, or craving revenge
. Are you overreacting to criticism?
Feeling tired
or exhausted all the time
Trouble concentrating
, thinking, remembering, or making decisions. Are you suddenly struggling in school? Are your grades dropping?
Restless, irritable, agitated
, or anxious movements or behaviors
Crying for no reason
, or more regularly
Neglect of personal care
. Have you stopped caring about your appearance, or stopped keeping up with your personal hygiene?
Reckless or impulsive behaviors
. Are you drinking or using drugs excessively? Are you behaving unsafely in other ways?
Persistent physical symptoms
such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment
Thoughts about death or suicide
Statements to pay attention to
Here are some phrases that indicate you or your friend should probably seek help.
“It’s just so hard to get out of bed lately.”
“I just can’t deal with life right now.”
“I just want to sleep and never wake up.”
“Everything is too much.”
Seeking help is really worth it
We’ve collected some referral resources with some of the many places you can turn for advice, support, and treatment. Getting help can get you feeling better.
Let’s talk about suicide
If you’re worried someone you care about is thinking about suicide, immediate action is critical. While the topic of suicide may be triggering or uncomfortable for some, research shows that
asking if someone is suicidal does not incite or increase thoughts of suicide.
Talking to someone about suicide can be uncomfortable, but it could also save a life.
These warning signs of suicide demand IMMEDIATE attention
Threats to hurt oneself, or talking about wanting to hurt oneself, or somebody else
Talking or writing about suicide or death, especially when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
Obtaining or looking for ways to hurt oneself by seeking access to means of suicide
Giving away prized possessions and other personal things
IF YOU NOTICE THESE SIGNS IN YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY:
Call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Go to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic.
Make sure they are not alone until professional help arrives.
Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
Discover Active Minds Programs
Send Silence Packing®
An immersive experience that illustrates the stories and centers the voices of youth as they guide us through their mental health journeys to end the silence surrounding mental health.
Learn how to help a friend
Active Minds and MTV’s A.S.K. — Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch — the new “stop, drop, and roll” of emotional support.
Find a Chapter
Peer-led mental health advocacy groups, equipped to mobilize and change the conversation about mental health in their school and communities.
The content on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have any questions about your medical condition, talk to your healthcare professional. |
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[  We Are The Legacy: Commemorating 21 Years of Active Minds Active Minds is a movement, a community, and a testament to what can happen when individuals come together to prioritize mental health. As someone deeply connected to its mission, Active Minds is a part of my identity, my journey as an advocate, and my experiences as a student. Reflecting on…](https://activeminds.org/blog/we-are-the-legacy-commemorating-21-years-of-active-minds/)
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- [Advocate for Legislation](https://activeminds.org/policy/)
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[  Prioritizing Mental Health After Tragedy with a School-Wide Mental Health Field Day: From the Advisors From the advisors (school counselors): Kaitlyn Robichaud and Courtney Selig This blog was written by Whitman-Hanson Regional High School’s Active Minds advisors about their experience supporting student-led efforts to advance mental health in their community. This is the second of two pieces sharing the story of these students’…](https://activeminds.org/blog/prioritizing-mental-health-after-tragedy-with-a-school-wide-mental-health-field-day-advisors/)
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- [Youth Leadership Resources and Training](https://activeminds.org/programs/youth-leadership/)
- [All Programs](https://activeminds.org/programs/)
Featured
Explore our unique programming
- [Your Voice is Your Power Resource Hub](https://activeminds.org/resources/yvyp/)
- [Hill Day & Mental Heath Conference 2026](https://activeminds.org/conference/)
- [Send Silence Packing Traveling Exhibit](https://activeminds.org/programs/ssp/)
- [Program Fund](https://activeminds.org/programs/community/program-fund/)
- [K-12 Initiatives](https://activeminds.org/programs/k12-expansion/)
- [Speakers Bureau](https://activeminds.org/programs/speakers/)
- [Cause + Career](https://causeandcareer.org/)
[  Active Minds Celebrates Surpassing 1,000 K-12 Schools in 1,000 Days: A Historic Milestone for Youth Mental Health We are beyond excited to announce a historic milestone in Active Minds’ journey: we’ve surpassed our goal of reaching 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days, and we did it months ahead of schedule! Each of these K-12 schools joined our mental health movement by bringing Active Minds to their school,…](https://activeminds.org/blog/active-minds-celebrates-surpassing-1000-k-12-schools-in-1000-days/)
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[  Remembering Brian: Twenty-Five Years Later At twenty five years, it’s about all the things he has missed. It’s the longing for everything that didn’t happen, the things that couldn’t happen, because he’s no longer here. Grief has been a strange road, one that cannot truly be explained. It started with being all-consuming, a disbelief that…](https://activeminds.org/blog/remembering-brian-twenty-five-years-later/)
[Donate](https://support.activeminds.org/give/295403/#!/donation/checkout)
[Your Voice Is Your Power](https://activeminds.org/resources/yvyp/) › [Mental Health Resources](https://activeminds.org/resources/yvyp/mental-health/)


# Signs someone may be struggling
You and those you love deserve to feel well. If you recognize any of these signs for more than several days in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help should always be your first step so they can get the care they need.


0% 100%
***
Content Outline:
## Never be afraid to ask for help
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Many people battle with mental illness, and you may not always understand what’s going on in your mind or with your emotions and thoughts.
### These signs are not always universal.
Some people may show behavioral changes, while others show physical symptoms, and some may show both or neither. However, if you recognize any of these signs for more than several days in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help should always be your first step so they can get the care they need.
## Signs to watch out for
Here are twelve signs of someone going through a tough time that you might notice in yourself or a loved one that are good reasons to reach out and talk with someone.
1. **Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness,** depressed mood, poor self-esteem, or guilt
2. **Withdrawal** from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy
3. **Changes in eating or sleeping patterns**. Are you sleeping all the time or having trouble falling asleep? Are you gaining weight or never hungry?
4. **Anger, rage, or craving revenge**. Are you overreacting to criticism?
5. **Feeling tired** or exhausted all the time
6. **Trouble concentrating**, thinking, remembering, or making decisions. Are you suddenly struggling in school? Are your grades dropping?
7. **Restless, irritable, agitated**, or anxious movements or behaviors
8. **Crying for no reason**, or more regularly
9. **Neglect of personal care**. Have you stopped caring about your appearance, or stopped keeping up with your personal hygiene?
10. **Reckless or impulsive behaviors**. Are you drinking or using drugs excessively? Are you behaving unsafely in other ways?
11. **Persistent physical symptoms** such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment
12. **Thoughts about death or suicide**
### Statements to pay attention to
Here are some phrases that indicate you or your friend should probably seek help.
- “It’s just so hard to get out of bed lately.”
- “I just can’t deal with life right now.”
- “I just want to sleep and never wake up.”
- “Everything is too much.”
[**Seeking help is really worth it**](https://activeminds.org/resource/referral-resources/)
We’ve collected some referral resources with some of the many places you can turn for advice, support, and treatment. Getting help can get you feeling better.
## Let’s talk about suicide
If you’re worried someone you care about is thinking about suicide, immediate action is critical. While the topic of suicide may be triggering or uncomfortable for some, research shows that [asking if someone is suicidal does not incite or increase thoughts of suicide.](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/does-asking-about-suicide-and-related-behaviours-induce-suicidal-ideation-what-is-the-evidence/FCAEE9E5BC840D76CF10AEBECD921AC9)
**Talking to someone about suicide can be uncomfortable, but it could also save a life.**
**These warning signs of suicide demand IMMEDIATE attention**
- Threats to hurt oneself, or talking about wanting to hurt oneself, or somebody else
- Talking or writing about suicide or death, especially when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
- Obtaining or looking for ways to hurt oneself by seeking access to means of suicide
- Giving away prized possessions and other personal things
**IF YOU NOTICE THESE SIGNS IN YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY:**
- Call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Go to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic.
- Make sure they are not alone until professional help arrives.
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
## Discover Active Minds Programs
[Send Silence Packing®](https://activeminds.org/programs/ssp/)
An immersive experience that illustrates the stories and centers the voices of youth as they guide us through their mental health journeys to end the silence surrounding mental health.
[Learn how to help a friend](https://activeminds.org/programs/ask/)
Active Minds and MTV’s A.S.K. — Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch — the new “stop, drop, and roll” of emotional support.
[Find a Chapter](https://activeminds.org/programs/chapters/)
Peer-led mental health advocacy groups, equipped to mobilize and change the conversation about mental health in their school and communities.
*The content on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have any questions about your medical condition, talk to your healthcare professional.*
***
Share this resource
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
In this article
- [Self Care](https://activeminds.org/blog/topic/self-care/)
## Related Resources
- [ Self-care Self-care can play a significant role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness. Self Care](https://activeminds.org/resource/self-care/)
- [ Offering Help Be there for a friend or loved one who is struggling with their mental health. Self Care](https://activeminds.org/resource/offering-help/)
- [ Stress & Anxiety Understanding the basics of stress and anxiety, how to best manage these natural and protective responses, and when to seek help. Self Care](https://activeminds.org/resource/understanding-anxiety-stress/)
[View All Resources](https://activeminds.org/resources/your-voice-is-your-power)


## A collection of mental health resources for youth and young adults who are looking to begin or grow as a mental health leader.
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Our CFC number: 16455 Our Tax ID number: 20-0587172
Washington, DC
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Text BRAVE to 741-741 or text/call 988 for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
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Active Minds is a 501c3 charitable organization.
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Washington, DC
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© Active Minds 2003-2026 |
| Readable Markdown | ## Never be afraid to ask for help
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Many people battle with mental illness, and you may not always understand what’s going on in your mind or with your emotions and thoughts.
### These signs are not always universal.
Some people may show behavioral changes, while others show physical symptoms, and some may show both or neither. However, if you recognize any of these signs for more than several days in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help should always be your first step so they can get the care they need.
## Signs to watch out for
Here are twelve signs of someone going through a tough time that you might notice in yourself or a loved one that are good reasons to reach out and talk with someone.
1. **Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness,** depressed mood, poor self-esteem, or guilt
2. **Withdrawal** from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy
3. **Changes in eating or sleeping patterns**. Are you sleeping all the time or having trouble falling asleep? Are you gaining weight or never hungry?
4. **Anger, rage, or craving revenge**. Are you overreacting to criticism?
5. **Feeling tired** or exhausted all the time
6. **Trouble concentrating**, thinking, remembering, or making decisions. Are you suddenly struggling in school? Are your grades dropping?
7. **Restless, irritable, agitated**, or anxious movements or behaviors
8. **Crying for no reason**, or more regularly
9. **Neglect of personal care**. Have you stopped caring about your appearance, or stopped keeping up with your personal hygiene?
10. **Reckless or impulsive behaviors**. Are you drinking or using drugs excessively? Are you behaving unsafely in other ways?
11. **Persistent physical symptoms** such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment
12. **Thoughts about death or suicide**
### Statements to pay attention to
Here are some phrases that indicate you or your friend should probably seek help.
- “It’s just so hard to get out of bed lately.”
- “I just can’t deal with life right now.”
- “I just want to sleep and never wake up.”
- “Everything is too much.”
[**Seeking help is really worth it**](https://activeminds.org/resource/referral-resources/)
We’ve collected some referral resources with some of the many places you can turn for advice, support, and treatment. Getting help can get you feeling better.
## Let’s talk about suicide
If you’re worried someone you care about is thinking about suicide, immediate action is critical. While the topic of suicide may be triggering or uncomfortable for some, research shows that [asking if someone is suicidal does not incite or increase thoughts of suicide.](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/does-asking-about-suicide-and-related-behaviours-induce-suicidal-ideation-what-is-the-evidence/FCAEE9E5BC840D76CF10AEBECD921AC9)
**Talking to someone about suicide can be uncomfortable, but it could also save a life.**
**These warning signs of suicide demand IMMEDIATE attention**
- Threats to hurt oneself, or talking about wanting to hurt oneself, or somebody else
- Talking or writing about suicide or death, especially when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
- Obtaining or looking for ways to hurt oneself by seeking access to means of suicide
- Giving away prized possessions and other personal things
**IF YOU NOTICE THESE SIGNS IN YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY:**
- Call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Go to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic.
- Make sure they are not alone until professional help arrives.
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
## Discover Active Minds Programs
[Send Silence Packing®](https://activeminds.org/programs/ssp/)
An immersive experience that illustrates the stories and centers the voices of youth as they guide us through their mental health journeys to end the silence surrounding mental health.
[Learn how to help a friend](https://activeminds.org/programs/ask/)
Active Minds and MTV’s A.S.K. — Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch — the new “stop, drop, and roll” of emotional support.
[Find a Chapter](https://activeminds.org/programs/chapters/)
Peer-led mental health advocacy groups, equipped to mobilize and change the conversation about mental health in their school and communities.
*The content on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have any questions about your medical condition, talk to your healthcare professional.* |
| Shard | 164 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 13282909438921298364 |
| Unparsed URL | org,activeminds!/resource/signs-and-symptoms/ s443 |