Myth or Fact
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment and Resources
How You Can Help
Random Animal Facts
100
1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year.
Fact.
100
Name 3 signs and symptoms of depression.
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood; feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism; irritability; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness; loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities; decreased energy or fatigue; difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; difficulty sleeping; appetite and/or weight changes; thoughts of death or suicide
100
Name 3 places or people you can go to on campus to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you may have a mental health problem.
Friends, RA's and RD's, faculty and staff, professors, counselors in The Bergeron Wellness Center, Campus Ministry, or SMC Switchboard (for emergencies)
100
Name 3 signs that could mean that your friend is dealing with a mental health problem.
Withdrawing from social activities or appearing down for more than 2 weeks; extreme out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors; severe mood swings; repeated use of drugs or alcohol; drastic changes in behavior, personality or sleeping habits
100
This animal has no vocal chords.
Giraffe
200
Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack of willpower.
Myth. Addictions involve complex factors including genetics the environment, and sometimes other underlying psychiatric conditions such as depression. When people who become addicted have these underlying vulnerabilities it’s harder for them to simply kick the habit.
200
This brain disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Changes in mood range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes).
Bipolar Disorder
200
Name 3 healthy stress management techniques.
Exercising, deep breathing, meditation, making a schedule, reading a book, listening to music, eating well, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs, talking to someone
200
How should you talk to a friend who you think might be dealing with a mental health problem?
Share your observations with your friend. Focus on being nonjudgmental, compassionate and understanding. Use “I” (instead of “you”) comments to get the conversation started. ("I've noticed that you haven't been acting like yourself lately. Is something going on?")
200
This animal proposes to its lifemate with a pebble.
Penguin
300
Mental illness is rare.
Myth. Mental illness is more prevalent than many people think: One in five Americans experiences it in their lifetime. One in twenty-five Americans experience a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. It can affect anyone, including all ages, races, income levels and religions.
300
People with this disorder may see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight. They typically weigh themselves repeatedly, severely restrict the amount of food they eat, and eat very small quantities of only certain foods.
Anorexia nervosa
300
What is one treatment method for someone with an eating disorder?
Adequate nutrition, reducing excessive exercise, and stopping purging behaviors are the foundations of treatment. Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and may include one or more of the following: individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy; medical care and monitoring; nutritional counseling; medications
300
True or false: You should keep your concerns about your friend to yourself.
False. If a friend is in need, you don’t need to go at it alone. Involve others who can provide added support. Try to find someone who might be understanding of your friend’s situation or be able to help. Your friend may feel cornered if you start involving others, so make sure to talk to your friend first. However, if it’s an emergency, you should call 911 and get an authority figure. Here are some people you may consider reaching out to: An RA or RD, friends and family, professors, counselors, or coaches.
300
This animal can grow back a new eye if it loses one.
Snail
400
Medication is not the only path to recovery.
Fact. Everyone has different treatment needs. There is no one, right way to recovery. While medication can help, it may not be the only thing a person needs to feel their absolute best. Often a combination of therapy and medication provides the best outcomes. You should speak with a mental health professional to help determine what’s the best treatment plan.
400
Someone with this disorder can't control his or her thoughts or behaviors, even when those thoughts or behaviors are recognized as excessive. They do not find pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause. They often experience significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
400
True or false: You may need to try several different antidepressant medicines before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects.
True. Antidepressants take time – usually 2 to 4 weeks – to work, and often, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration problems improve before mood lifts, so it is important to give medication a chance before reaching a conclusion about its effectiveness. If you begin taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them without the help of a doctor. Sometimes people taking antidepressants feel better and then stop taking the medication on their own, and the depression returns. When you and your doctor have decided it is time to stop the medication, usually after a course of 6 to 12 months, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease your dose.
400
If your friend is not ready to talk about what they're going through or does not want your help right now, what can you say to them?
How can I best support you right now? Is there something I can do or can we involve others who can help? Can I help you find mental health services and supports Can I help you make an appointment? Can I help you with the stuff you need to get done until you’re feeling better? Would you like me to go with you to a support group or a meeting? Do you need a ride to any of your appointments?
400
This animal creates the loudest sound of any mammal.
Humpback whale
500
Psychiatric disorders are not real medical issues.
Myth. Just as with heart disease and diabetes, mental illnesses are a legitimate medical illness. Research shows there are genetic and environmental causes and similar to other medical conditions, they can be treated effectively.
500
Name 3 signs and symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or having their minds go blank, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty controlling the worry, sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
500
What is a common type of psychotherapy for bipolar disorder?
Talk Therapy. When done in combination with medication, it can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families.
500
True or false: If your friend is experiencing a mental health condition, this is a time when he or she needs you the most.
True. Sometimes just talking about it might help your friend feel less alone and more understood. You can be the difference in helping a friend who needs support but is too afraid to seek help. Just a simple conversation can go a long way in helping your friend. You can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
500
These animals hold hands when they fall asleep to keep from drifting apart.
Sea otters
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