Supporting a Friend
Define "compromise".
An ability to listen to two sides in a dispute, and devise a solution or agreement acceptable to both parties.
If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven’t got me. What am I?
Secret
True or False: People who are insecure are more likely to use social media.
True. A recent poll found that 60% of people using social media reported that it has impacted their self-esteem in a negative way. Social media can be addictive and often fuels insecurities.
True or False: Mental health issues are caused by a lack of willpower or discipline.
False
Mental health issues are not a sign of weakness or personality flaw. Mental health is constant work to get better that requires a lot of resilience and strength.
_____ is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.
Self-love or Self-respect
List two BAD examples of supporting a friend.
1. Telling them to "suck it up", "get over it", "it's all in your head".
2. Telling others and/or making fun of your friend's symptoms and struggles.
3. Doing nothing and deciding to "leave them alone", exclude them or ignore them.
You can only have it once you have given it.
Respect
List three life habits that promote wellness and stability.
1. Eating healthy food
2. Having a daily routine
3. Exercising
4. Taking medication every day
5. Asking for help when you need it
6. Setting and working on goals
7. Practicing healthy coping skills
8. Practicing self-care
True or False: Stress can save your life.
True
Some stress can be motivating and is a natural reaction your body has to certain events. It can sometimes give us an "extra push". When stress becomes too much to handle, that might be an indication to start making some positive mental health changes.
Experts suggest incorporating activities and practices from five dimensions into your self-care routine. These five dimensions include: physical, mental, spiritual, ______ and ________.
Social and Emotional
Name the Five Love Languages.
1. Physical Touch
2. Words of Affirmation
3. Quality Time
4. Acts of Service
5. Gift Giving
It starts off light and easy to bear, yet the more you carry it with you, the heavier a burden it becomes.
Guilty Conscience
How can talking about a hard time be helpful? Give two reasons.
1. You can process what's going on: share your feelings, work out what's bothering you and explore what you can do about it.
2. You feel better saying it out loud.
3. You don't feel alone.
4. You feel cared for.
5. You create a connection between people.
True or False: Anxiety and depression may actually lower your pain tolerance.
True
The parts of the brain responsible for pain reception also relate to anxiety and depression, and the two neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) that are responsible for pain signaling in the brain and nervous system are also implicated in anxiety and depression.
People suffering from depression tend to _________, so it is important to connect with friends and family to increase _________.
isolate, socialization
What is a way we can help a friend who is going through a hard time emotionally or mentally?
1. Listen to them without judgement and believe what they are saying.
2. Ask them who else they feel comfortable talking to.
3. Go with them to a counselor, teacher, parent, etc.
4. Stay with them while they call someone for help.
5. Notice and comment on positive changes; encourage them to keep trying.
Poor people have it. Rich people need it. It can make you or break you.
Adversity
What are four natural ways our body helps us heal?
1. Talking
2. Laughing
3. Crying
4. Shaking
5. Yelling
True or False: No individual living with the same condition has the same symptoms.
True
For example, one depressed person might eat as much as usual but have increased irritability, while another person might experience the opposite.
Name two causes for mental health issues.
1. Genetics; Nature vs. Nurture
2. Physical Illness or Injury
3. Traumatic Life Experiences
4. Social Disadvantage
5. Bereavement (losing someone close to you)
You notice your classmate is going through a mental health crisis. They have been ostracized from their friends and bullied online for the entire school year. They have recently shared with you they wish to hurt themselves. List three strategies you can use to help them.
1. Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs at that moment.
2. Ask them what would help them.
3. Reassure and refer to practical information or resources.
4. Avoid confrontation.
5. Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact.
6. Encourage them to seek appropriate professional help.
7. If they have hurt themselves, make sure they get the first aid they need.
8. Tell parents, school officials, therapist, emergency services (911), National Suicide and Crisis phone number (988).
A prison you feel safe in, yet never quite happy. Whenever you try to leave, it only grows bigger.
Comfort Zone
Name the three types of coping skills.
Active, Passive and Maladaptive coping skills.
True or false: Resilience is something we are born with.
False
Resilience is NOT something we are born with; but it is something that everyone can learn and develop.
A person's mental health can change over time, depending on many factors. Write an example of how someone's mental health could change.