Let's Be Real!... (myth or fact)
Mental Health Issues are rare.
Myth. Approximately 1 in 6 U.S adolescents aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
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 and willingness to work through what you are experiencing.
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. Sometimes just listening is all they need.
How many hearts does any octopus have?
3
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 in the community to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
Hospital, Counselor, Therapist, Psychiatrist, Doctor, Mental Health Center, etc.
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. If you think they are serious about attempting suicide, you must talk to an adult.
What color are polar bears skin?
Black
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 but rather 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 often 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. Being patient is key, and realizing that they need to be able to work out their own problem is needed to avoid burning yourself out. You can be a huge support for them, but ultimately you cannot fix everything.
What is a group of rhinoceroses called?
A Crash
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. Tip: if you feel like you might get nervous and freeze up, it often helps to write things down before your appointment.
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
Where on a cows body are the sweat glands located?
The nose
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.
Name two or more additional resources you can use when you are not doing well or struggling with your mental health.
National suicide hotline: 988
Crisis Text Line: text "hello" to 741-741
Atrium Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 704-444-2400
National Domestic Violence hotline: 1800-799-7233
National
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, fear of being judged, stigma, don't know who to tell, don't think the problem is "serious enough", asking for help is "giving up", no resources available.
What color are a reindeers eyes?
Reindeer eyeballs turn blue in winter to help them see at lower light levels. They're golden-colored in summer.