Print bookPrint book

Lesson Three - Risk to Well-Being

Site: MoodleHUB.ca šŸ
Course: Mental Health & Wellness [1 cr] - AB Ed copy 1
Book: Lesson Three - Risk to Well-Being
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Sunday, 7 September 2025, 6:43 PM

Table of contents

Information


  • This lesson is designed to take approximately 4 hours.
  • You have the following tasks and assignments to complete in this lesson:
    • Read all Lesson 3 content, including videos, supplementary links, etc.
    • Lesson 3 Journal


Lesson Outcomes

  • Discuss signs and symptoms that may indicate a risk to an individual's safety or well-being.
  • Identify appropriate methods for reporting a suspicion of risks to an individual's safety or well-being.
  • Describe the limitations of personal capacity in dealing with issues related to an individual's safety or well-being.

Signs and Symptoms of Risk


Sometimes being at-risk for depression, anxiety, or even high stress can be difficult to recognize. It is also important to remember that these are generalities and that common signs and symptoms can change between cultures, religions, and even families. Also remember that to be at-risk, an individual needs to show multiple signs and symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Risk

  • Feelings of anxiety, depression; being tearful or irritable
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless, having a low self-esteem
  • Withdrawing from or avoiding regular social situations (this can include not responding to texts, avoiding family gatherings, and not wanting to go to school)
  • Regularly calling in sick or missing appointments
  • Sleeping too much, too little, or having an irregular sleep schedule
  • Unhealthy eating habits, such as forgetting and/or not being motivated to eat
  • Poor hygiene
  • Difficulty focusing and remembering daily events
  • Feeling constantly drained, both physically and emotionally, usually without cause
  • Lack of motivation
  • Lack of interest in regular activities
  • Unable to feel enjoyment from activities that normally bring satisfaction
  • General aches and pains that are unexplained
  • Difficulty tolerating and getting along with others
  • Thoughts of harming self or suicide
  • Moving and speaking slower than usual
  • Substance abuse, including increased frequency of use, increased volumes used, and using the substance while alone
  • Experiencing a major life event
  • Change in outlook toward the world, such as becoming more pessimistic or cynical

How to Help Those At-Risk


When an individual exhibits signs and symptoms that warn others of an impending mental health crisis, there are some steps that can be taken.

*If you do not feel comfortable or safe approaching the individual at-risk, remember that you can tell others about your concern or refer the individual to community resources.

  • One of the main steps that you can take is to approach the individual you are concerned about. It is critical to remain non-judgemental; let this person know that you are concerned about them and that you are there to support them. Try to work together and have them respond to your questions.
  • Make sure that the person has input on how you help them. What is helpful for one person is not for another.
  • Keep your own mental health in check. Bringing unwanted energy into a conversation by having excessive worry or anxiety can prevent someone from fully opening up about any struggles they may be experiencing. It is not likely or realistic that your emotions can be neutral, but just being aware of your own feelings and mental health can help to manage them more efficiently.
  • Be prepared for a variety of emotions from the individual, with one of the strongest being shame. Shame is an indicator of psychological distress and is quite common when people are frequently not meeting obligations and are feeling guilty about that. Having a conversation where someone has noticed they are failing to meet their obligations can bring out shame, along with many other emotions.
  • Team up with another concerned family member or friend to talk to this individual. Help to show them that they have a social support network who cares about them.
  • Let the individual talk for long periods of time without interrupting. This will help them to release some frustration. Do not try to guide the conversation.
  • Paraphrase what the person has told you. This conveys being heard and understood, as well as empathy.

Credit: WebMD and the National Alliance on Mental Illness

For more information on how to help those at-risk, go to the website Mind For Better Mental Health.


What to Do When Someone Does Not Want Help


There are times when you have been caring and supportive, but the at-risk individual seems to disregard your efforts. You cannot force someone to accept your help, no matter how well-intentioned it may be. Here are some tips from WebMD on what to do when someone does not want to accept your help:

  • Be patient if there is not an immediate risk to the individualā€™s life. The individual may not want to accept help at the moment, but that does not mean that they do not ever want help.
  • Continue to be a part of their support system. Let the individual know that your support is not dependent upon their getting help.
  • Try to stay calm when the individual is refusing your help. Matching their emotions (anger with anger, for example) may push the individual away.
  • Take a step back to remember that the decision to get help is the individualā€™s, not yours.
  • Remember to care for your own mental health by seeking out your own social support network, including a professional if needed.
Pixabay

What to Do When You are At-Risk


Occasionally it is yourself that you need to look after. Major life events such as the death of a close family member or friend, or an extremely stressful time period in your life can lead to a mental health crisis. In times of a mental health crisis, there are some steps that you can take to help yourself:

  • Look at the situation.
  • Do you feel like hurting yourself in the near future? If you do want to hurt yourself, do you have a plan? If you answered yes to these questions, you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis and need to go to the hospital or call 911.
  • If you have not thought about hurting yourself or are hesitating about developing/following through on a plan, call a trusted friend or family member to stay with you. Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline as soon as possible. These are trained professionals that are there to help.
  • Touch base with a professional, as well as those close to you. Let these people know what is happening with you.
  • Create a Wellness Recovery Action Plan before a crisis occurs as something for you and your supporters to refer to.
  • Above all, try to remember that you are going through a crisis, and that you should be nice to yourself at this time.
Pixabay

    Watch: Big Thinkers on Mental Health: The First Things To Do When You Or Someone You Love Is In Crisis.

    Wellness Recovery Action Plan


    A Wellness Recovery Action Plan is a comprehensive written plan created before a crisis occurs. It allows the individual experiencing the crisis and their support network to read what the person wanted before the crisis occurred. An action plan can be as specific as an individual wants to make it. Some items that can be included are:

    • A description of when the individual is feeling well (behaviours exhibited, conversational repertoire, habits, etc.)
    • Signs that the individual is no longer able to make rational decisions or be responsible for themselves (types of behaviours, comments, habits, etc.)
      • When the individual exhibits some of these signs, list: who should be contacted, what treatment is necessary and appropriate, what supports are needed
    • A list of people that should not be contacted during an individual's crisis and reasons why
    • A list of medications the individual is taking and purposes for the medications
    • A list of community care/in-take treatment centres
    • A list of preferred and unacceptable treatment facilities and explanations for both
    • A list of what the individual does not want their support network to do when they are in a crisis
    • A list of what the individual wants/needs their support network to do when they are in a crisis
    • A list of specific people who can do certain tasks for the individual
    • A list of things that the individual can do on their own during a crisis
    • A list of indicators that the support network do not need to utilize the Wellness Recovery Action Plan any longer

      Credit: Mental Health Recovery

      When to Seek a Professional

      Whether you are seeking a professional for yourself or you are concerned about a family member or friend, there are signs to look for when it is time to seek outside assistance. The following list is compiled from Mental Health America and the University of Rochester, Department of Medicine and are signs to keep in mind:

      • Substance abuse or increased substance use. When a substance interferes with emotions, relationships, work, school, or even to fulfill daily responsibilities, seek out a professional.
      • Inability to cope with current situation or daily activities.
      • Drastic changes in eating and/or sleeping habits.
      • Increased complaints of physical aches without a definitive cause.
      • Defiance of authority, theft, vandalism, or an increase in these activities.
      • Intense fear of weight gain.
      • A lengthened time with a negative outlook, usually accompanied by a poor appetite or thoughts of suicide.
      • Recurrent outbursts of anger.
      • Anytime an individual has thoughts that feel ā€œout of their controlā€, and when these thoughts are affecting relationships or sense of well-being.
      • When an individual is struggling with a painful life event.
      • When an individual is confused about emotions and needs an unbiased perspective to help them sort through the emotions.
      • When an individual feels suicidal and as though there is no reason to keep living; when in such distress, that individual is not prepared to make such a critical decision and requires immediate help.

      Pixabay

      Who is a Professional?

      The course has repeatedly stated to consult a professional, but who qualifies as a professional? There are numerous people that you can talk to. Here is a list of some of the main professionals:

      • Mental health specialists
        • psychiatrists
        • clinical psychologists
        • social workers
        • licensed mental health counsellors
      • Family doctors
      • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPā€™s)
      • Near-by university or medical-school mental health clinics
      • Local hospitals
      • Community mental health centres

      Credit: Mental Health
      Pixabay