Mental health has recently become a common topic of discussion as more people are falling into depression pits day after day.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide with close to 800,000 suicides as a result of depression, and who knows, your brother or sister could be among these people, suffering in silence.
That said, if you think your sibling is depressed here are 3 signs to look out for and take the necessary steps to get them the health they need;
They feel tired all the time
Extreme tiredness and low energy levels are major signs to look out for as it tends to make the simplest of tasks such as getting out of bed seem too difficult. If you notice your brother or sister doesn't have the motivation to do the things he/she enjoys doing or acts frequently exhausted and doesn't have a logical reason to explain why chances are h/she is or falling into depression. Look out for him or her.
Talk about death and suicide quite often
Suicidal thoughts are a major indication of depression. Phrases such as "I feel like killing myself", " I wish I was dead" among others are never to be ignored, especially if they're uttered frequently.
If you notice your sibling talking about harming themselves, death or suicide even if they seem like they're joking, it's important to take them seriously. They might be calling for help but won't tell you straight up.
Their eating habits have changed
Depression has a way of messing up with people's eating habits. Some people tend to turn to food to lift their moods and spirits while others tend to skip meals probably because they're tired to prepare a meal or they've no appetite. If you notice your sibling eating way more or less than they usually do, make an effort to find the root cause.