Crisis Warning signs
If you notice any of these warning signs in yourself or a peer, please seek adult guidence immediately either through a family member, teacher or a trusted helpline listed on the home page. Remember, You are never alone and reaching out for help is always the right thing to do.
01
Social Withdrawal.
Social withdrawal is the gradual or immediate decline of social activity in a person, it can occur in various aspects of a young person's life such as:
Not wanting to attend or frequently skipping sports or activities.
Constantly having altercations with friends or family.
Reduced contact or interaction with peers.
more time spent isolated than typical.
02
Physical symptoms
Unexplained Physical Ailments or pain can align with psychological distress ( psychosomatic pain.) However should not be used to label a young person until a complete physical examination is done to rule out physical conditions. Some symptoms include:
Back or joint pain.
Abdominal issues ( typically arise along with social withdrawal.)
fatigue or loss of tiredness.
03
Mood changes
When Mood fluctuates in a pubescent adolescent, it is easy to blame it on hormonal changes or peer influence. However, there's a clear line between mental distress and hormonal difficulties, here are some warning signs to look out for:
Persistant low mood or sadness
increased irritabilty with peers or family
"Acting out" or bad behaviour in school.
An overwhelming sense of happiness that seems forced.​
Crisis.
If in a situation where a young person is experiencing some of these signs in a heightened or extreme manner, it is important to know the four types of crisis's that you can adress when reaching out for help. The main four include:
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Maturational Crises: These occur during major life transitions or developmental stages, such as leaving home, getting bullied, a parental divorce or grief. They are often linked to changes in family dynamics or personal responsibilities.
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Situational Crises: These are triggered by unexpected, stressful events that disrupt a person's life, such as the loss of a family member, losing a pet or a sudden illness diagnosis​
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Adventitious Crises: These are accidents or disasters that are not part of everyday life, such as natural disasters, War, acts of violence or loss.
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Socio-cultural Crises: These stem from broader societal changes or social upheavals, including Racism, Social Violence or widespread environmental changes like a pandemic