UBC Resources
Mental Health Misconceptions
Neuroscience
What is _____?
Pop Culture
100
This student service, located in the Life Building, is a peer-hosted space that offers wellbeing programs and can connect you with more mental health resources at the Wellness Info Desk. What is it called?
The Wellness Centre!
100
T/F: You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental health condition.
FALSE - Everyone should actively assess their mental wellbeing on a regular basis and take steps towards starting/maintaining healthy habits. Good sleep patterns, strong social and emotional connections, and seeking help early are all protective factors.
Source: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/busted-7-myths-about-mental-health
100
A student who is about to take an important exam has shaky hands and an elevated heart rate. What branch of the nervous system is responsible for these effects?
The sympathetic nervous system
100
What is the most common type of mental health disorder, characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life?
Anxiety disorders
100
In Frozen, this character famously told us to “Let It Go”. This sounds a lot like practicing emotional release!
Elsa
200
UBC Counselling Services is a first point of contact for all of your mental health concerns, provides in-person, virtual, over-the-phone, group, and individual counselling options (with embedded counsellors available). How much does it cost per appointment?
$0!
Call Counselling Services at 604-822-3811 to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment, offered Monday to Friday. First-time appointments are booked for the same day and arranged on a first-come, first-served basis.
200
T/F: Mental illness can only be treated with medication.
FALSE - Medication and drug therapy can help manage symptoms. However, they are just part of the treatment plan, which includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and self-help and support groups.
Read more on treatment: https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/mental-health-disorders/overview-of-mental-health-care/treatment-of-mental-illness#Medication-Therapy_v746706
200
What neurotransmitter is derived from tryptophan and plays a key role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite?
Serotonin
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin
200
What is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the winter months, and is believed to be related to changes in light exposure?
Seasonal affective disorder
200
This singer famously wrote “Shake It Off,” a song that is now basically an anthem for brushing off negativity.
Taylor Swift
300
This program, run by the AMS, provides free, confidential, one-on-support for UBC students facing a wide variety of challenges, including school stressors, feeling lonely, or personal challenges (i.e. with an individual’s relationship or identity). What is it called?
The Peer Support program!
Peer Supporters are students just like you, trained to help with things like academic stress, anxiety, burnout, depression, substance use, and more.
Book a session at: https://amsservices.janeapp.com/locations/ams-peer-support/book#/staff_member/14/treatment/28
300
T/F: An individual can describe themselves as having Bipolar Disorder if they are having mood swings.
FALSE - Mood swings/moodiness are not equivalent to the extreme sense of instability and insecurity experienced by those with Bipolar Disorder. Individuals with Bipolar Disorder experience both manic and depressive episodes, both of which are marked by unusually intense emotions, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviour.
Read more on Bipolar Disorder: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
300
What is the name of the waste-clearance system in the brain that is active during sleep and suppressed during wakefulness?
300
What is the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population?
Neurodiversity
300
Which Marvel superhero is known for his anger management issues, and can probably benefit from some breathing exercises?
The Hulk!
400
The AMS Health & Dental Plan (student insurance) insurance reimburses students this much per policy year towards services provided by mental health practitioners.
A. $0-400
B. $400-800
C. $800-1200
D. $1200-1600
E. $1600-2000
D - it covers $1,250!
400
T/F: The term “OCD” can be used as an adjective to describe someone who is neat, tidy or orderly.
FALSE - Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a serious and debilitating mental health condition in which individuals experience unwanted thoughts, images, feelings, or sensations that cause them to suffer great distress. These are followed by physical or mental behaviours aimed to relieve these obsessions. Using the term “OCD” in this manner may prevent people from getting the treatment they need.
Read more on OCD: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/obsessivecompulsive-disorder-ocd
400
Stress (especially long-term) can cause a reduction in the volume of which subcortical structure?
400
What is the primary difference between generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, whereas panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks that include sudden feelings of intense fear or discomfort.
400
In the book (and movie) series Harry Potter, what spell would be perfect to keep off a bad mental health day by conjuring a happy memory?
Expecto Patronum
500
These buildings are where UBC Counselling Services is located (three correct answers).
Brock Hall
The Counselling Services Annex
The First Nations Longhouse (for students who are Indigenous)
500
T/F: Schizophrenia is not the same as Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personality disorder).
TRUE - Individuals with schizophrenia commonly experience hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. However, they do not experience having two or more separate identities, which characterizes DID.
Read more on schizophrenia: https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-conditions/schizophrenia/
Read more on DID: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10730093/
500
What cells produce the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, which allows for fast conduction of action potentials?
500
What is the term for the cognitive bias in depression where individuals view situations in an overly negative way, often focusing on the worst possible outcome?
This cognitive bias is known as "catastrophizing," where individuals expect the worst and magnify the significance of negative events.
500
This Grey’s Anatomy character checked into rehab after struggling with a prescription pill and alcohol addiction.In the book (and movie) series Harry Potter, what spell would be perfect to keep off a bad mental health day by conjuring a happy memory?
Amelia Shepherd