by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN
Mental health is about one’s well-being and ability to thrive amidst stressors. Challenges to mental health often occur in silence, and they affect more people than you might think. According to the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the most recent data shows that the percentage of adults in Polk County who reported poor mental health on 14 or more days per month in 2022 was 17.2% compared to 15% in Florida.
Mental health is closely linked to overall health, and learning to recognize warning signs in yourself and those around you is crucial in supporting mental wellness. The earliest changes tend to be small shifts in how we think, feel, behave, or interact with others. Mental health awareness starts with understanding what these early signs look like and how to respond when you notice them.
Recognize the Signs
You might feel more overwhelmed than usual and activities that once felt enjoyable may start to feel tiring or uninteresting. Difficulty concentrating, losing motivation, or struggling to make decisions can all signal rising emotional strain. Physical changes often accompany these feelings. Shifts in sleep can be one of the earliest signs that something is off. Appetite changes, increased fatigue, and frequent headaches can also be indicators worth paying attention to. What matters most is noticing differences from your usual patterns and being honest with yourself about how you’re feeling.
Warning signs in others may be just as subtle. You might see a friend becoming more withdrawn, a coworker showing irritability, or a family member struggling with responsibilities that were once manageable. Someone might start avoiding social interactions or appear overwhelmed by situations they previously handled with ease. People sometimes express emotional strain through a noticeable shift in how they carry themselves. Paying attention to the general direction of these changes can help you identify when someone may need extra support.
Internal Barriers
Many people experience internal barriers that discourage them from reaching out or seeking help. Stigma remains a powerful barrier, and many hesitate to talk about their mental health because they fear being judged or appearing burdensome. Some may believe they should be able to do it alone. Others feel uncertain about what kind of support exists or how to begin the conversation.
These barriers are normal, but they don’t have to stop someone from taking action. The first step is acknowledging what you’ve noticed. For yourself, this may mean writing down the changes you’ve observed. That could help you reflect honestly on what’s happening. For someone else, opening a gentle conversation can make a difference in letting them know they’re not alone.
Taking action is about small steps. That might mean talking to a trusted friend or family member, creating space to rest, reducing unnecessary stressors, or exploring informational resources.
The Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) supports our community’s mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health in Polk County, please visit our page with local mental health resources designed to support residents: Mental Health – Florida Department of Health in Polk County.
About the author: Dr. Alison Young-Tan, an internal medicine/pediatrics physician, currently serves the community as medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).