What is Mental Health?
What are three different coping skills?
Breathing, mindfulness, music, reading, playing a game, emotionally-focused tapping, meditation, butterfly hug, 54321 technique, affirmations, etc
Are feelings good or bad? Or neither?
Feelings come and go as different things happen to you.
Some feelings are uncomfortable, but they are not bad. Everyone has these feelings from time-to-time.
What do you do in therapy?
Talk about your feelings, how you have been doing recently, things you like, hard times and struggles, play games, learn skills, anything that I want!
What is the difference between high self-esteem and low self-esteem?
High self-esteem is when you think positive things about yourself - "I am smart. I am funny. I am a good person."
Low self-esteem is when you think negative things about yourself - "I am stupid. I don't matter. I look ugly."
What are some healthy habits for your mental (and/or physical) health?
Getting enough sleep
Talking with friends and family
Sticking to a routine
Keeping my spaces clean
Eating enough nutritious food
(and more!)
5 - things you can see
4 - things you can touch
3 - things you can hear
2 - things you can smell
1 - thing you can taste
Is anger a bad feeling to have?
Absolutely not. All feelings are good and acceptable and valid to feel.
It is what we DO when we have these feelings that matter.
If you are angry, you may share that with someone and use a coping skill. If you are angry, you may yell at someone or break a toy. Which of these is a positive/negative reaction to feeling anger?
What helps you feel heard?
(what can people do to let you know they are really listening to what you have to say?)
This may be different for different people!
How did you learn this about yourself, how do you feel when these things aren't met?
How can therapy be helpful?
Have someone besides a friend, sibling, or guardian to talk about my feelings and my life with.
Can learn skills to help me with my emotions and struggles.
Can celebrate wins in my life!
Talk about a time you were brave or courageous, even if you were scared or afraid at the time.
:) you're doing great !
Where do you feel your feelings?
A) Body
B) Mind
C) Both
D) Neither
C) Both ! Your feelings can be felt both mentally and physically in your body. For example, when you are anxious, you may feel nauseous. When you are sad, you may feel tired or like you're carrying extra weight.
Name 3 safe spaces for you.
Safe spaces can be people, places, or activities that help you feel calm, comfortable, and supported, and let you be yourself.
My parent/guardian, my teacher, the park, my bedroom, reading, listening to music, my pet, wrapping myself in a blanket, my best friend, my house, etc.
How are some ways we may feel our feelings (like anger, happiness, sadness, anxiety) in our bodies?
Anxiety - shakiness, heart beating really fast, sweaty, nausea
Happiness - feeling light, calm, energetic, giggly
Sadness - feeling heavy, tiredness, crying, headache
What do you like to have in a friend?
examples: honesty, humor, playfulness, shared interests, good listener, trustworthy, etc.
Share five positive words that describe you.
now remember these things about yourself!!
How do thoughts, feelings, and actions all connect?
Thoughts lead to feelings which can lead to actions.
Example: Imagine you have an upcoming test, and you think "I'm going to fail." Because of this thought, you start to worry. You are so worried that you feel sick just thinking about the test. Because it's so uncomfortable, you decide not to study.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, without judging or trying to change it.
By focusing on the "here and now," we take a break from worrying about the past or future.
Demonstrate/explain or learn and practice progressive muscle relaxation.
Progressive muscle relaxation works by systematically tensing and relaxing muscle groups throughout the body. It teaches you to recognize and release feelings of tension.
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/pmr-for-kids-script
What is the STOP skill?
S - Stop
T - Take a step back (mentally or physically, take a moment)
O - Observe (notice what is happening inside your body and outside in the world)
P - Proceed mindfully (think about your goals and choose a calm, helpful next action/step)