Would You Look At That?
(Signs and Symptoms)
(Signs and Symptoms)
What illness is described as repeated obsessions and/or compulsions that are so severe they interfere with everyday activities?
OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
True or False?
People with mental illnesses cannot get better.
False. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not usually “cured”, it can be effectively managed. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their mental illness.
True or False?
Medication is the only treatment method that works for mental health problems?
False. Medication can be helpful, and is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the issue, but other methods such as therapy and counselling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options.
True or False?
When someone is talking about wanting to 'kill themselves' or 'end their life' they are mostly likely joking.
False. Never ignore comments about death or suicide. Tell a trusted adult or call 911.
1 in __ of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder.
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
C. 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder.
Name three symptoms of depression.
Constantly feeling sad, anxious, empty or numb to emotion
Feeling hopeless and alone
Feeling like everything is going wrong
Feeling worthless or helpless
Irritability
Spending more time alone and withdrawing from friends and family
Losing interest in hobbies, sports or activities that you sued to enjoy
Change in eating and/or sleeping habits
Always feeling tired
Feeling restless or trouble sitting still
Trouble concentrating and remembering
Indecisiveness
Have aches, pains, headaches and/or cramps without a clear cause
Thinking about dying or suicide
Self harm
True or False?
Coping mechanisms don't always help.
True. Different coping mechanisms work for different people. The most common way people try to cope with stress is caffeine (31% of the time), followed by smoking (27% of the time). Exercising more frequently is third (25%) followed by medications (23%) and consuming more alcohol (20%). Out of all the ways people try to cope with stress, only one (exercising more often) is considered a healthy method. Medications can be healthy and helpful, if prescribed by a doctor. The problem is not that people are wrong, it’s that the other methods, such as caffeine or alcohol, can actually make symptoms of mental illness worse in the long-term.
What are three types of treatment?
Medications
Therapy
Self Help Groups
Family Support
Community Support
Lifestyle Changes
Name one thing a support person can personally do to help their loved one who has a mental illness?
Educate themselves, crisis training, self-help or individual counselling
About __% of mental disorders begin before the age of 14.
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 75%
B. About 50% of mental disorders begin before the age of 14.
Name three signs someone could be suicidal.
Direct suicide threats such as “I want to die,” or indirect threats such as “You would be better off without me”. Personality changes, withdrawn behaviour, hoarding medication, giving away prized possessions, lack of interest in future plans, isolation from friends and colleagues, depression.
True or False?
Mental disorders are a consequence of character flaws or personal weakness.
False. The main risk factors for mental illness are not character flaws or personal weakness but rather genetics, severe and prolonged stress (such as trauma and abuse), or other environmental influences, and brain chemistry.
Name three different healthy coping skills.
Practice meditation or relaxation techniques
Take time for yourself
Engage in physical activity or exercise
Read
Spend time with family and friends
Get a good night’s sleep
Eat healthy
Paint, draw or write
Prioritize important tasks
Practice deep and slow breathing
Enjoy nature
Make a gratitude list
Talk to people you trust
Take time to watch TV or movies
Take a shower
Garden
Play a game
True or False?
When family and friends are educated about mental illness, their loved one experiencing a mental illness has lower chances of relapsing.
True. A recent review found that when the family is educated about the illness, the rates of relapse in their loved ones were reduced by half in the first year.
______ are more likely than _____ to experience a mental health problem, specifically anxiety or depression.
a) women, men
b) men, women
A. Women are more likely than men to experience a mental health problem, specifically anxiety or depression.
What event is this describing?..."sweating, nausea, trembling and numbness in the legs or hands, dizziness, hot or cold flashes, a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest, hyperventilation, “jelly” legs or blurred vision can develop. Individuals may even feel like they are going to die of a heart attack"
Anxiety Attack/Panic Attack
True or False?
People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.
False. The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%-5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don’t even realize it, because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities.
What are three lifestyle changes someone can make to help their mental illness?
Exercise, healthy diet, stick to a sleep schedule, spend time with loved ones, break down tasks and structure your time, avoid alcohol and drugs, take time to do self care
Name 3 things you can do to help a friend who thinks they may have a mental health problem.
Listen to them, spend time with them, encourage them to seek help, go with them to appointments/help them make appointments, show them that you care.
Almost ___% of those who feel they have anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 75%
B. Almost 50% of those who feel they have anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.
What is described as the re-experiencing of a very traumatic event, accompanied by feelings of extreme anxiety, increased excitability and the desire to avoid stimuli associated with the trauma?
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
True or False?
Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.
True. When someone is suffering from a mental illness, it’s similar to a physical illness in that it forces limitations on you. If you broke your leg, you simply won’t be able to run as quickly as you did before. That’s not you being lazy, but being held back by a physical issue. It’s a similar thing with mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
What are two resources available to individuals who need mental health support?
Youth Community Counselling
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Services
Canadian Mental Health Association – Saskatoon Branch
Saskatchewan Healthline Online/811
Kids Help Phone
Crisis Line
Hope for Wellness Hotline
Name three reasons why people hesitate to get help.
They don't want to "burden anyone else with their problems", it is hard to talk about, it makes them feel vulnerable, fear of being judged, stigma, don't know who to tell, don't think the problem is "serious enough", asking for help is "giving up", no resources available.
Mental illness indirectly affects ___ Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
a) some
b) most
c) all
C. Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.