With two high profile shooting rampages in the headlines this week, many are asking how anyone can escalate to this type of violence without someone close to them noticing?
Local mental health professionals say in the economic times we live in, everyone needs to be in a heightened state of awareness when it comes to spotting someone in distress, and they say we can't be afraid to reach out and offer help.
Michael Brose is Executive Director of the Mental Health Association. He tells 2NEWS, "You'll hear people say, oh well. He's just talking, or he's not really going to even do anything like that. You can't go there. People need to report it."
Here at some of the signs to watch for: dramatic changes in behavior, agitation, depression, threats or the abuse of alcohol or drugs.