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Getting the Right Start

KNOWTHE 10 COMMON WARNING SIGNS

1 2 3 4 5

Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks

Seriously trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so

Severe out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors

Sudden, overwhelming fear for no reason

Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; signiﬁcant weight loss or weight gain

6 7 8 9 10

Seeing, hearing or believing things that are not real

Repeatedly using drugs or alcohol

Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits

Extreme difﬁculty in concentrating or staying still

Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities

WORRIED? TELLSOMEONE

A FAMILY MEMBER

CLOSE FRIEND

TEACHER OR PROFESSOR

N

1 in 5
youth and young adults lives with a mental health condition

COUNSELOR OR COACH

FAITH LEADER

WHAT TO SAY

I haven’t felt right lately and I don’t know what to do.
Can I talk to you about it?

I’m having a really hard time lately,

will you go with me to see someone?

I’m worried about stuff that’s going on right now, do you have time to talk?

WHAT TO DO

Getting help early for mental health matters in keeping
your life on track.

Your ﬁrst stop is your primary care doctor, to rule out other physical health conditions

Be honest about what you’re feeling and be clear about what you want

Ask for help ﬁnding a therapist or mental health specialist that works for you

KEEP IN MIND

It can take a while to get an appointment with a specialist.

If you need to see a specialist right away, speak up to get an appointment sooner.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Lots of youth and young adults live with a mental health condition.You can connect with them at OK2Talk.org. Also, look in your community for peer and support groups and you will discover that you
are not alone.