Signs of mental illness

Some general symptoms of mental illness include the following:

• Changes in school performance despite strong efforts
• Inability to cope with daily activities and problems
• Changes in sleep and/or eating habits  
• Persistent disobedience or agressive behavior 
• Persistent negative mood
• Defying authority
• Frequent temper tantrums
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting
• Depression or sadness

Did you know?

• 4,000,000 children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental disorder
• Suicide is the third cause of death in youth ages 15 through 24. More youth die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease and AIDS to name a few. 
• Approximately 50% of students age 14 and older who are living with a mental illness drop out of high school. 
• Youth with unidentified and untreated mental health disorders also tragically end up in jails and prisons. An alarming 65% of males and 75% females in juvenile detention have at least one mental illness.