Knowledge Check

Try to identify the possible signs of distress

The following scenario illustrates several signs of distress that a man may not even be aware of himself. Using what you’ve learned in the previous section, see if you can spot them.

Scenario

Mark is a reliable co-worker and has always been friendly during lunch breaks. Over the past few weeks, he’s been showing up late, skipping breaks, and keeping to himself. He’s been snapping at small things in meetings, and when asked how he’s doing, he says, “I’m just tired. It’s fine.” He also joked last week, “If I disappeared, I’m not sure anyone would notice.”

  • What changes do you notice in Mark’s behaviour, mood, or communication?
  • Which signs might indicate that he’s possibly struggling?

Take a moment to think this scenario over and consider the above questions, or jot down a few thoughts, before looking through the signs below.

Signs

In the scenario above, Mark showed the following signs:

Changes in social life

Mark is showing signs of withdrawing from social interactions, skipping breaks and isolating himself from others.

Changes in mood or attitude

He’s also displaying irritability and short temper, snapping in work meetings.

Subtle communication cues

Statements like “I’m just tired” or “I’m fine”, and making a concerning joke (“If I disappeared…”) could signal deeper feelings of hopelessness.


Now that we’ve seen how to spot some common signs that a man might be struggling with his mental health, let’s take action and see how to put our awareness into practice.