Spot the Signs
Learn to identify signs that a man may be experiencing a mental health issue, and be in need of support.
Learn to identify signs that a man may be experiencing a mental health issue, and be in need of support.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Too many men suffer in silence. Become a peer supporter for the men in your life.
In this four-part course (15–20 min each), you’ll learn what effective peer support looks like, how to show up for others, and how to stay grounded while doing so.