MythBusters
True or False: Experiencing a mental health challenge is a sign of personal weakness.
False, Mental health conditions are medical conditions influenced by biological, environmental, and genetic factors
Often called the "happy chemical," this neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, sleep, digestion, and appetite.
What is Serotonin?
In the 2015 Pixar movie Inside Out, this blue, sweater-wearing character turns out to be essential for Riley to process complex life changes and connect with others.
Who is Sadness?
This popular 4-count breathing technique involves inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4, exhaling for 4, and holding for 4.
What is Box Breathing (or Square Breathing)?
This superstar gymnast famously withdrew from multiple Olympic events in Tokyo to prioritize her mental health and combat the "twisties."
Who is Simone Biles?
This common daily beverage contains a stimulant that, in high amounts, can trigger or worsen physical symptoms of anxiety.
What is Coffee Or Caffeine?
This physiological response, often called the 3 Fs is the body's automatic reaction to perceived threats or severe stress.
What is Fight, Flight, or Freeze?
In the animated series BoJack Horseman, this beloved, perpetually happy golden retriever constantly avoids deeper negative feelings with relentless toxic positivity.
Who is Mr. Peanutbutter?
The classic 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique uses these five human abilities to bring someone back to the present moment during high stress.
What are the 5 Senses?
This four-time Grand Slam tennis champion stepped back from press conferences at the 2021 French Open to protect her mental wellbeing.
Who is Naomi Osaka?
True or False: Mental health challenges only affect adults, not teenagers or children.
False. According to the WHO, roughly half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14.
Often called the primary "stress hormone," this substance is released by the adrenal glands to increase heart rate and alertness during high-stress situations.
What is Cortisol?
In Ted Lasso, the title coach experiences several of these intense physical episodes, prompting him to seek help from sports psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone.
What are Panic Attacks?
In psychology, setting these healthy personal limits prevents burnout and protects your energy in relationships and at work.
What are Boundaries?
This award-winning singer-songwriter launched the Born This Way Foundation in 2012 to support youth mental health and wellness.
Who is Lady Gaga?
This 3-digit dialing code was launched across the U.S. in 2022 to provide free, 24/7 access to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What is 988?
What does the acronym "CBT" stand for in common mental health therapy?
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales practices this grounding, mindful phrase with his father over the police cruiser intercom to center himself.
What is "I love you" / "Our family doesn't run from things"?
This single, two-letter word is considered one of the most powerful self-care tools for protecting your time, avoiding burnout, and establishing healthy boundaries.
What is "No"?
This Olympic swimming legend with 28 medals has been an outspoken advocate for athletes' mental health and depression awareness through his foundation.
Who is Michael Phelps?
True or False: Asking someone directly if they are having thoughts of suicide will plant the idea in their head or increase their risk.
False. Studies consistently show that asking directly, calmly, and non-judgmentally reduces anxiety, creates a relief valve, and encourages individuals to seek help.
Often called the "information superhighway" between the mind and body, this primary cranial nerve connects the brainstem to the gut, regulating heart rate, digestion, and parasympathetic relaxation.
What is the Vagus Nerve?
In the 2024 blockbuster sequel Inside Out 2, this frenetic, orange, baggage-carrying emotion takes over Headquarters to constantly plan for every possible negative future scenario.
Who is Anxiety?
In stress physiology, prolonged screen time without blinking and shallow chest breathing often induce this modern condition, which triggers an involuntary fight-or-flight response while working at a desk.
What is "Screen Apnea"?
This NBA All-Star forward helped normalize therapy in professional sports after writing the groundbreaking 2018 essay "Everyone Is Going Through Something" for The Players' Tribune
Who is Kevin Love?/ Who is DeMar DeRozan?