Mental Health Issues are rare
Myth. Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24 report a mental disorder, substance abuse or learning disability. Between 15 and 20 percent of the Canadian adolescent population suffers from a mental disorder at one time or another.
This disorder is a combination of a manic phase (a sudden onset of exhilaration and excessive good mood), and a depressive phase (feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and prolonged sadness)
Bi-Polar Disorder
True or False- admitting that something is wrong is giving up on yourself.
FALSE. Admitting you are having problems is often very hard to do, and asking for help is a sign of strength.
Are you helping your friend if they come talk to you and you don't have any advice to give them?
Yes. By being open and letting them vent about what's going on, you are helping to alleviate their stress and get things off of their chest. You are not a professional and you can't expect to have all the answers.
What bird is the only bird to fly backwards?
People with mental illnesses will not get better
Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not usually “cured”, it can be effectively managed.
Name 3 places/people you can go to on-campus to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
School counselor, Director of Student Support Services, Anchor group leader, teacher, any trusted adult
True of false- If your friend tells you that they are going to harm themselves and they make you promise to keep it a secret, you should always respect their wishes and keep it a secret.
False. If you are concerned for their safety, tell someone. Talk to someone who can help. It is better to have a friend who is alive and mad at you than to lose a friend.
Who is faster, an ostrich or a horse?
Mental disorders are a consequence of bad parenting or personal weakness.
Myth. The main risk factors for mental illness are not bad parenting or personal weakness.
Risk factors= genetics, severe and prolonged stress (such as physical or sexual abuse), or other environmental influences, and brain chemistry.
True or false- Medication is the only treatment method that works for mental health problems.
False. Medication can be helpful, and is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the issue, but other methods such as therapy and counselling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options.
True/ False- If you find the right words to say and spend enough time with them, you can cause your friend to get better when they are experiencing a mental health issue.
False. Temporarily you can make them feel better, but if there is an underlying cause making them feel bad, you can't fix it on your own. Sometimes helping a friend through something like this is challenging and frustrating because you cannot instantly make everything better.
A blessing is the name given to a group of which magnificent creature?
Unicorn
If someone in your family has a mental illness, you are more likely to develop one as well.
Fact. Although you will not necessarily develop any kind of mental illness, if someone in your family has a mental disorder you will be at higher risk.
True of false- you need to know exactly what you're going to say and how you're going to say it before you talk to a counselor.
False. Counselors are there to listen to whatever is troubling you, and you can open up to them at a pace that you are comfortable with.
Name 3 things you can do to help a friend who thinks they may have a mental health problem.
Listen to them
Spend time with them
Encourage them to seek help,
Show them that you care :), if it is serious tell someone
Don't judge
Ask someone for advice
What is the only mammal that can fly?
The bat!
Males attempt suicide more often than females do.
Myth. Females attempt approximately 4 times as often. However, males have a higher rate of death. This is because men tend to use more violent methods.
Who can help you with a therapist referral outside of school?
Ms. Ireland
Name 3 reason why people hesitate to get help
They don't want to "burden anyone else with their problems"
it is hard to talk about
it makes them feel vulnerable
stigma
don't know who to tell
don't think the problem is "serious enough"
no resources available.
A parliament is a group of which animal?
Owls