Breaking the Silence: Recognizing Early Signs of Mental Distress

By Lucy Nganga

In our daily lives, we encounter countless individuals—some familiar, others complete strangers. Statistically, one out of eight people are grappling with mental distress. This means that in a workplace with more than ten employees, a colleague could be facing mental struggles. Similarly, in a classroom of 25 students, about three classmates may be affected, and this is according to the World Health Organization (WHO). (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders).

Imagine this scenario: you’re conversing with your deskmate at work, and they either take an unusually long time to reply or forget the topic altogether. Often, on instinct ,we get upset, feel ignored or unimportant. Instead of reacting with frustration, try showing patience and understanding—there’s a chance they could be experiencing mental distress. Respond calmly, give them time to gather their thoughts, and show empathy instead of judgment.

Another instance: you’re a tutor working with a child who seems constantly distracted and unable to complete assignments without interruptions. Or at home, you task your child with tidying their room and besides putting mismatched socks where they should be the child gets sidetracked and you have to remind them of the task. As parents, teachers, or caregivers, we often resort to reprimanding or punishing these behaviors, interpreting them as inattentiveness, while in hindsight, the child may simply have a short attention span—a challenge that spans all age groups. Using positive reinforcement and breaking tasks into manageable steps could be a way to help them stay focused.

Consider those nights when sleep eludes you entirely. If you’re someone who sleeps with music, even your favorite tunes fail to bring rest. You toss and turn, listening to the silent cries of the night, enveloped in darkness, and eventually give up on sleep. Upon reflection, you realize your sleeplessness stemmed from worrying about an upcoming interview or an unfinished task, and anxiety. Persistent sleep difficulties can be one of the early indicators of mental distress.
Trying intentional relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness exercises can ease anxiety and promote rest.

Then there’s your friend who seems to have “disappeared” from social gatherings. They no longer participate in activities they once enjoyed and their lively conversations become rare. Excuses for missing out multiply; their phone is often turned off, and they withdraw from social settings. Much like a rainbow, they appear briefly on a stormy and dark day; their fleeting presence masks the dark storms surrounding them. Reaching out with a simple message, offering support, and letting them know you’re there for them could just bring a rainbow out on a sunny day.

While occasional signs of mental distress, such as those mentioned above, are a normal part of life, it becomes concerning when these behaviors disrupt our daily functioning, decision-making, and relationships. Prolonged mental distress can evolve into serious mental health conditions. Early intervention is important. If symptoms persist, seek professional help.