If you know someone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness or who you think may have a mental illness, we’re here to connect you to resources available to support you.
Local resources are available to help you start the conversation with your loved one.
Know the 5 Signs
1. PERSONALITY CHANGES:
You may notice sudden or gradual changes in the way that someone typically behaves. People in this situation may behave in ways that don’t seem to fit their values, or the person may just seem different.
2. AGITATED:
You may notice the person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and seems irritable or unable to calm down. People in more extreme situations of this kind may be unable to sleep or may explode in anger at a minor problem.
3. WITHDRAWN:
Someone who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends and stop taking part in activities that used to be enjoyable. In more severe cases the person may start failing to make it to work or school. Not to be confused with the behavior of someone who is more introverted, this sign is marked by a change in a person’s typical sociability, as when someone pulls away from the social support typically available.
4. POOR SELF-CARE:
You may notice a change in the person’s level of personal care or an act of poor judgment. For instance, someone may let personal hygiene deteriorate, or the person may start abusing alcohol or illicit substances or engaging in other self-destructive behavior that may alienate loved ones.
5. HOPELESS:
Have you noticed someone who used to be optimistic and now can’t find anything to be hopeful about? That person may be suffering from extreme or prolonged grief or feelings of worthlessness or guilt. People in this situation may say that the world would be better off without them, suggesting suicidal thinking.
Give An Hour
Talking to Youth and Teens
HSE School Counseling
HSE Schools Text-A-Tip
How to Talk to a Teen Friend
FHS Bring Change to Mind Club
HSE Bring Change to Mind Club
Bring Change to Mind: How to Talk Calculator
The Transformation of the Teenage Brain
How to Support for a Friend
How to Talk to Your Kids
Peyton Reikhof Foundation for Youth Hope
Youth Mentoring Initiative
Youth Assistance Program
HSE Schools
HSE Schools
Community Health Network
FHS Bring Change to Mind Club
HSE Bring Change to Mind Club
Bring Change to Mind
TEDxYouth
City of Fishers
City of Fishers
The Peyton Riekhof Foundation for Youth Hope
Youth Mentoring Initiative
Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program
Talking to Adults
LookUp Indiana Provider Search
Building a Refuge
What to Do if You Know Someone Suffering
Fishers Fire Department's WeCare Program
Enroll in Fishers' Special Needs Registry
Community Health Network
St. Vincent Fishers
The Lutheran Foundation
Building A Refuge
City of Fishers
City of Fishers
City of Fishers
Community Health Network
St. Vincent|Ascension
Mental Illness: An Illness Like Any Other Illness
Physical Health:
Mental well-being is like any other well-being we monitor within our bodies. If you broke an arm, you wouldn’t be ashamed of going to the hospital, right? The same should be true of our mental wellness.
Mental Health:
Mental illness is an illness just like any physical illness or challenge. There are resources to heal and recover, just like you would wear a cast if you broke an arm. When we start talking about mental illness like other illnesses we face, we can all start recovering sooner.
Find more information from these resources:
Community Health Network:
Text IN to 741741
or Call 800.273.8255 or 317-621-5700
LookUp:
Text LookUp to 494949 or
Call 1- 800-284-8439
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
Text TALK to 741-741 or
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Resources
Fishers supports the following mental health organizations for their advocacy and quality, vetted information intended to help those suffering from mental illness or their caregivers.
Connect to additional resources from our national resource partners on key topics curated for the Fishers community:
View Youth and Teen Resources
How to Talk to Someone Struggling
5 Signs
Voices of Hope: Talking to a Loved One in Crisis
Bring Change to Mind Club
Tips for When it's Time to Talk
Tips for Talking to Your Child
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Give An Hour
HSETV
HSETV
Mental Health America
Community Health Network
View Youth and Teen Resources
Tips for How to Help a Person with Mental Illness
Parents Guide to Getting Children Quality Care
11 Simple Signs a Child May Have a Psychiatric Disorder
Talking to Adolescents and Teens: Starting the Conversation
Tips for Young People Looking for Help
Get QPR Training
Supporting a Loved One in Recovery
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Child Mind Institute
Child Mind Institute
Mental Health America
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Community Health Network
National Alliance on Mental Illness
View General Help Resources
Maintaining a Healthy Relationship
Taking care of the Caregiver
10 Tools to Living your Life Well
31 Tips to Boost Mental Health
Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-Being
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health America
Mental Health America
Give An Hour
How Do I Start a Conversation With Someone Struggling with Mental Illness?
start with these expert tips:
1. SPEAK UP:
If you recognize someone in your life is suffering, reach out. Connect, inspire hope, and offer help. Show compassion and caring and a willingness to find a solution when the person may not have the will or drive to do it alone.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION:
Make sure you choose the right location to have these discussions. You don’t want to choose a public place or within hearing distance of anyone they are not comfortable talking about sensitive subjects with.
3. ENCOURAGE – DON’T DOMINATE:
For many people this is a challenging topic to discuss, so try to use open-ended questions, encourage them to talk and listen. You don’t have to have the answers, and in many situations offering quick solutions can make people feel like their problems are diminished. Be kind, be open, and most importantly, be there.
4. BE MINDFUL OF FACIAL FEATURES:
You would never want to make someone feel judged. Be sure to think about what your face is saying as well as the words you use. The body language and facial expressions can be as impactful as the words you say.
5. TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY:
Take everything they say to you seriously. When talking about mental wellness, nothing should be taken lightly or as a joke. If the person talks about harming themselves, talk to a professional to help you get them the help they need.
6. IT’S NOT ONE AND DONE:
One conversation is not enough to address serious mental health concerns, it’s important to take an ongoing approach. If a friend or loved one opened up to you about a personal struggle, you might be the only person they felt comfortable talking to about these issues, so lend an ear, let them know you’re there and offer support ongoing when you feel or sense a change, or when they ask.
What Risk Factors Should I Look For?
Genetics
17-28% of mental illnesses can be accounted for by variations in common genes.
Environment
People who are exposed to adverse childhood events like abuse, neglect, divorce, or have substance abuse challenges are 2.6 times more likely to have mental health challenges.
Biology
Head injuries between ages 11-15 are one of the strongest predictors for development of mental illness. Brain changes like building a tolerance or reward response to stress are also risk factors.
Lifestyle
Substance use can increase the chances of developing a mental illness and mental illness can increase substance abuse.
The data above is from Mental Health America. These are not all of the risk factors associated with mental illness. If you think a friend or loved one is experiencing mental wellness challenges, speak up, offer support, and lend an ear.
How Do I Support the Stigma-Free Mission?
Find Help From Community Leaders
If you need help getting started with your own community or mental wellness initiative, find help from community leaders. Get access to resources, objectives, reports, and more.
Follow our mission on social and use hashtag #stigmafreefishers
Take the Pledge
Are you a Fishers Resident? Take the pledge and join us to be stigma-free! We’re on our way to being stigma free, but we need your help! Know the five signs, take the pledge, and change the conversation about mental health.