Let's Be Real! (myth or fact)
Myth. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 5 teens between 13 and 18 years old will have a mental condition. 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14.
This disorder is a combination of a manic phase (a sudden onset of exhilaration and excessive good mood), and a depressive phase (feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and prolonged sadness)
FALSE. Admitting you are having problems is often very hard to do, and asking for help is a sign of strength and willingness to work through what you are experiencing.
Are you helping your friend if they come talk to you and you don't have any advice to give them?
Yes. By being open and letting them vent about what's going on, you are helping to alleviate their stress and get things off of their chest. You are not a professional (or maybe you are, who knows), and you can't expect to have all the answers. Sometimes just listening is all they need.
Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not always “cured”, it can be effectively managed. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their mental illness.
feelings of despair and hopelessness; feeling detached from life and those around you; continued fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of sadness – crying for no apparent reason; inability to concentrate or make decisions; thoughts of suicide changes in eating or sleeping patterns; persistent or recurring headaches; frequent gastrointestinal upsets Losing interest in activities that are enjoyed
Name 3 places/people you can go to on-campus to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
True of False- If your friend tells you that they are going to harm themselves and they make you promise to keep it a secret, you should always respect their wishes and keep it a secret.
False. If you are concerned for their safety, tell someone. Talk to someone who can help. It is better to have a friend who is alive and mad at you than to lose a friend. If you think they are serious about attempting suicide, do not be afraid to call 911.
Mental disorders are a consequence of bad parenting or personal weakness.
Myth. The main risk factors for mental illness are not bad parenting or personal weakness but rather genetics, severe and prolonged stress (such as physical or sexual abuse), or other environmental influences, and brain chemistry.
This disorder is characterized by depression and anxiety as well as flashbacks. It is common among victims of crimes and people in the military.
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. 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- If you find the right words to say and spend enough time with them, you can cause your friend to get better when they are experiencing a mental health issue.
False. Temporarily you may make them feel better, but if there is an underlying cause making them feel bad, you can't fix it on your own. Sometimes helping a friend through something like this is challenging and frustrating because you cannot instantly make everything better. Being patient is key, and realizing that they need to be able to work out their own problem is needed to avoid burning yourself out. You can be a huge support for them, but ultimately you cannot fix everything.
Fact. Although you will not necessarily develop any kind of mental illness, if someone in your family has a mental disorder you could be at higher risk.
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" What Event does this describe?
True or False- You need to know exactly what you're going to say and how you're going to say it before you talk to a counselor.
False. Counselors are there to listen to whatever is troubling you, and you can open up to them at a pace that you are comfortable with. Tip: if you feel like you might get nervous and freeze up, it often helps to write things down before your appointment. This also helps you to organize your thoughts and put things in perspective.
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 :), if it is serious tell someone, don't judge, ask someone for advice
Myth. Females attempt approximately 4 times as often. However, males have a higher rate of death. This is because men tend to use more violent methods.
direct suicide threats; personality changes or withdrawn behavior; giving away prized possessions; lack of interest in future plans; isolation from friends; depression
Name 3 reason 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
Facts: Your friends will feel worse if you don't come talk to them if you need help/ need to talk. They are your friends for a reason, and they don't want you to feel bad! Don't be afraid to talk about it!