💧 HYDRATION
How many cups of water should you be drinking on a daily basis?
8 to 10 cups of water a day.
About how many hours of sleep do teenagers generally need each night?
Answer: 8–10 hours.
Why does your brain need food?
Answer: It needs nutrients and energy to function.
HEALTHY CALORIES
Name one coping skill you can use when you're stressed.
Answer: Deep breathing, grounding, music, walking, journaling, mindfulness, talking to someone, etc.
Who should determine how much prescribed medication you take?
Answer: Your prescribing healthcare professional or mental health provider here.
Name one sign that you may be dehydrated.
Answer: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, thirst, or dark-colored urine.
Name one thing that can make it harder to fall asleep.
Answer: Caffeine, screens, inconsistent sleep schedules, stress, or stimulating activities.
What can happen when you regularly skip meals?
Answer: Low energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hunger, or feeling physically unwell.
True or False: You should wait until you're having a 10/10 crisis before practicing coping skills.
Answer: False.
True or False: It's okay to change your medication dose if you think you need more.
Answer: False.
Why is hydration important for your brain?
Answer: It supports normal brain and body functioning and can help with energy and concentration.
Why is sleep important for mental health?
Sleep supports mood, concentration, memory, energy, and emotional regulation.
True or False: Eating healthy means you can never eat your favorite foods.
Answer: False. Healthy eating involves balance and adequate nutrition, not perfection.
Why is it useful to practice coping skills when you're feeling relatively okay?
Answer: They become easier to remember and use when stress increases.
What should you do if you are experiencing concerning medication side effects?
Answer: Tell a parent/guardian and/or healthcare provider and follow the treatment team's instructions.
True or False: You should only drink water when you feel extremely thirsty.
False. Regular hydration throughout the day is important.
True or False: Sleeping until the afternoon every day is always a good way to catch up on sleep.
Answer: False. A consistent sleep-wake schedule is generally more supportive of healthy sleep.
What is one way to make eating regularly easier when you're having a difficult mental-health day?
Answer: Keep easy-to-eat foods available, use reminders, eat with someone, or plan simple meals/snacks.
You're feeling overwhelmed and your thoughts are racing. Name TWO things you could try.
Answer: SMELL THE FLOWERS (deep breathing, grounding, taking a break, walking, talking to someone, or another safe coping strategy, A to Z, Opposite Action, 5,4,3,2,1
Why shouldn't you share prescription medication with a friend?
Answer: Medication is prescribed for a specific person and can cause serious or unexpected effects in someone else.
You're feeling tired, have a headache, and haven't had much to drink today. What is one simple thing you can try?
Answer: Drink some water and continue hydrating regularly.
Name TWO healthy sleep habits.
Answer: Consistent bedtime/wake time, relaxing bedtime routine, limiting caffeine later in the day, reducing stimulating screen use before bed, or keeping the bedroom conducive to sleep.
Why might nutrition be especially important for someone taking mental health medication?
Answer: Some medications can affect appetite, nausea, energy, or other aspects of eating, so consistent nutrition and communication with the treatment team can be important.
What is the difference between a coping skill and avoidance?
Answer: A coping skill helps you manage emotions and move toward functioning/recovery; avoidance generally involves escaping something in a way that can reinforce the problem.
What should you do if you're thinking about stopping a psychiatric medication?
Answer: Talk with the prescriber/treatment team first rather than stopping or changing it on your own.