Coping Skills
What's the difference between a healthy coping skill and an unhealthy coping skill?
Healthy coping skills manage emotions without causing harm; unhealthy coping skills may provide temporary relief but causes more problems.
What's the difference between thoughts and feelings?
Thoughts are what we think; feelings are emotions that we experience.
Why is self-care important for mental health?
It improves emotional regulation and supports overall wellbeing. It's showing up for yourself.
What is a boundary?
A limit you set to protect your physical, emotional, or mental well-being
What is one thing you learned in group in your time here that has stuck with you?
TBD
Why don't coping skills work immediately every time?
They take practice, may not fit every situation, and reduce emotional intensity rather than eliminating emotions.
Why is it important to identify your emotions instead of just saying "I'm upset"
Identifying the real emotion helps you choose the most effective coping strategy.
Name one physical, emotional, and social self-care strategy.
Physical: sleep, exercise, etc
Emotional: Journaling, identifying emotions, etc.
Social: Spending time with supportive people
Name one sign of a healthy relationship
Trust, respect, communication, honesty, support, accountability, etc.
Why is asking for help considered a strength instead of a weakness?
It takes courage, self-awareness, and supports recovery
Name three healthy coping skills that can be used anywhere.
Examples:
Deep breathing, grounding, positive self-talk, counting, progressive muscle relaxation
Can you control your emotions?
You can't always control what you feel, but you CAN control how you respond.
True or false:
Self-care is something you only do when you're struggling
FALSE
Why are boundaries important for mental health?
They reduce stress, protect well-being, and promote healthier relationships
What is one thing you can do when you notice your stress level rising?
Use a coping skill, ask to take a break, ask for support.
What should you do if one coping skilll isn't helping?
Try another, practice consistently, or ask for support instead of giving up.
Name one physical sign your body may give you that you're becoming overwhelmed.
Why is consistency more important than doing self-care only when you're stressed?
Regular self-care builds resilience and helps prevent problems from escalating. Practice makes progress.
What's the difference between supporting someone and trying to fix them?
Support empowers; fixing takes away responsibility.
Why do we encourage practicing coping skills when you're calm instead of waiting until you're in crisis?
Practice makes them easier to use effectively during stressful situations.
Why is having multiple coping skills better than having just one?
Different situations require different tools, and one coping skill may not always be available.
Why is it helpful to notice warning signs before you're in crisis?
It gives you time to use coping skills for regulation before becoming too overwhelmed.
What is one barrier that keeps people from practicing self care?
Examples: Lack of time, low motivation, forgetting, etc.
If someone repeatedly ignores a boundary you've set, what should you do?
Reinforce the boundary, seek support, and consider distancing yourself.
If you could teach one mental health lesson from group to someone else, what would it be?
TBD