Although more than a quarter of a million young people have received treatment for anxiety, depression or eating disorders in 2016, experts say 70 per cent of under-18s who experience mental health issues go undetected.
That is why the Government have committed to investing an additional £1.25 billion in NHS mental health services to provide treatment early enough to tackle the issue effectively.
However, a Telegraph report says it is important to recognise mental health problems in yourself, or in friends and family.
“Whether observing the symptoms in your own behaviour or in a friend, family member or colleague, speaking out and seeking help is crucial to tackling the issue,” said the report.
The symptoms of a mental health disorder can be physical, emotional or behavioural, and in many circumstances, difficult to recognise.
Persistent and uncontrollable anger can be a sign of depression and anxiety. This includes shouting, swearing, slamming doors, and throwing objects, among other things.
This can also include anger towards yourself, the report adds.
Although we all experience anxiety at some point in our life, the report says that we should look out for signs of constant fretting and physical pangs of anxiety that can amount to panic attacks.
“The problem arises when those feelings are prolonged long before or after an event has taken place, to the extent that the person afflicted feels inhibited by their fears,” the report said.
Other symptoms are less well known but equally as important to recognise. Constant apprehension about people abandoning you, intense and fluctuating emotions spanning several hours to several days, or acting impulsively may be symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.
And perhaps the most well-known disorder, depression, can manifest itself in many ways. These can be psychological, physical or social symptoms.
“Depression can linger heavily, sometimes for months, sometimes for years. In order to spot depression in yourself or others, it’s important to check for psychological, physical and social symptoms,” the report said.
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