Coping Strategies

All about the Brain

100

At what age is the brain fully developed?

Mid to late 20's

200

True or False: using substances repeatedly can impact the way your brain develops.

True

300

What chemical in the brain is known as the "feel good" hormone, and gives us motivation to do something we find pleasurable?

Dopamine

400

How does the process of addiction work in the brain?

When a substance is introduced to the body, an abnormal amount of dopamine floods the brain. This flooding of dopamine hijacks your normal reward system creating that "high" that your brain remembers, and begins favoring more than our normal motivations.

500

Which part of the brain is the last to develop, and what does it do?

The frontal cortex; it is responsible for our decision-making processes - critical thinking, problem solving, judgement.

Gaming/Gambling

100

You can experience gambling activities in video and online games

True

200

How old do you have to be to legally gamble in the state of Ohio?

21

300

It is only considered gambling if money is involved.

False, gambling involves risking anything of value.

400

-being secretive on phones/online games

-unaccounted money

-unusually invested in sporting events

-seems more stressed that usual

-dropping out of normal hobbies

What are warning signs of youth gambling?

500

Children introduced to gambling by age 12 are how many times more likely to develop a gambling problem?

4x more likely

Unhealthy Coping

100

Name 3 unhealthy coping strategies.

-self harm/ harming others

-substance use

-taking our anger out on others

-bottling up/shutting down

200

Why might someone your age turn to unhealthy coping instead of healthy?

-they've seen others do it

-they don't know what else to do

-unhealthy coping feels better in the moment

-peer pressure

300

How can you support a friend who engages in unhealthy coping strategies?

-be a good listener

-nonjudgemental

-always come from a place of care/concern

-encourage them to get professional help

-get them connected to professional help

400

Drinking alcohol makes you less stressed.

False

500

Only prescription medication, not over the counter, can be harmful if used incorrectly.

False

Healthy

100

Name one positive adult role model in your life, and tell us why you picked them.

(-:

200

Why is it important for someone your age to develop healthy habits for managing stress?

Stress doesn't go away, it just changes shape. If we don't learn how to healthily manage stress now, we will continue to struggle as we age. 

300

Name 3 activities you find relaxing/helpful when you're experiencing stress.

(-:

400

When should you use healthy coping strategies?

All the time! We don't want to wait until we're in crisis to use our tools, we should be using them even on our best of days.

500

Someone who reaches out to get professional mental health help is weak because they couldn't feel better on their own.

FALSE!