Mental Health Basics
A normal emotional response to stress that becomes a concern when it’s excessive or persistent.
What is anxiety?
The process of change through which people improve their health and wellness while living a substance-free life.
What is recovery?
A coping skill that uses the five senses to bring attention to the present moment.
What is grounding?
The body’s natural response to perceived danger or threat.
What is the fight-or-flight response?
People you can rely on for emotional or recovery support.
What is a support system?
These are changes in mood, thinking, or behavior that may signal a mental health concern.
What are symptoms or warning signs?
People, places, or feelings that increase the urge to use substances.
What are triggers?
Deep breathing helps calm this body system.
What is the nervous system?
This hormone increases during stress.
What is cortisol?
Clearly stating limits to protect your mental health.
What are boundaries?
This mental illness is categorized by drastic mood swings.
What is bipolar disorder?
A return to substance use after a period of abstinence.
What is relapse?
Choosing behaviors that improve long-term outcomes, even when uncomfortable.
What is distress tolerance?
Slow, intentional breathing can lower this physical response.
What is heart rate?
Asking for help is a sign of this, not weakness.
What is strength?
Naming your emotions can help lower their intensity.
What is emotional awareness?
A lapse does not erase recovery; it’s viewed as this instead.
What is a learning opportunity?
Replacing an unhealthy coping skill with a safer alternative.
What is harm reduction or skill substitution?
What is heart rate?
What is relapse risk?
Trust is rebuilt through consistency, honesty, and this behavior.
What is accountability?
This mental health condition includes intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors meant to reduce anxiety.
What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?
The stage of change where a person is actively making behavioral changes.
What is the Action stage?
This coping strategy focuses on breaking overwhelming situations into smaller, manageable steps.
What is problem-solving?
Regular physical movement supports recovery by improving mood and reducing this.
What is stress?
A healthy relationship includes mutual respect, safety, and this key element.
What is communication?