What are the signs I should look out for?
Sometimes people do want to talk, but we just don't realise. Fortunately, people do put out signals. Often they are very tentative signals, but the signs are often there if we know what to look for. Here are some ways that people signal that they may need help:
Being irritable or nervous.
A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating less than normal.
Drinking, smoking or using drugs more than usual.
Being un-typically clumsy or accident prone.
Becoming withdrawn or loosing touch with friends and family.
Losing interest in their appearance. For example dressing badly, no longer wearing make-up, not washing regularly.
Making leading statements, such as 'You wouldn't believe what I've been through' or 'It's like the whole world is against me'. People sometimes say these things in the hope you will ask what they mean, so that they can talk about it.
Putting themselves down in a serious or jokey way, for example 'Oh, no one loves me', or 'I'm a waste of space'
