Maintenance and Prevention
This is who has mental health.
Everyone!
Source: ETS Presentation and (Wahl et. al., 2019)
This is a warning sign that someone may need immediate help.
Talking, writing, or drawing about death; feeling hopeless, desperate, or trapped; giving away possessions; behaving recklessly; looking for ways to commit suicide; talking about not being here tomorrow, being a burden on others, or having no reason to live.
(National Institute of Mental Health, 2025)
This is the number for the suicide and crisis lifeline.
988
Source: (988 Lifeline, 2025; Matthews et al., 2023; Suran, 2023)
This is a reason why mental illness may occur.
Gene-environment interactions
“For example, the interaction between low activity variants of the X‐chromosome‐linked monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) gene and childhood maltreatment leading to antisocial behavior in males has been replicated multiple times and confirmed in meta‐analyses.”
Source: (Uher & Zwicker, 2017; Gray & Hannan, 2017)
These are chemical compounds used to treat mental illness
Psychiatric medicine (i.e., Prozac, Adderall, Zoloft, Lamictal, etc.)
Source: (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023)
This is the percentage of adults who did not seek treatment for mental illness in 2022.
Half (50%)
Source: (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024)
Mental Illness can change the way people _________
Think, feel, act, and cope with life
Source: (Medlineplus, 2024)
This is someone at your school who you can go to if you need help.
My school counselor, social worker, nurse, teacher, and/or trusted adult.
What could be a possible environmental risk factor for someone to develop mental illness?
Birth and feeding patterns
Dietary differences
Childhood experiences
Differences in educational and economic level
Isolation due to epidemic
Emotional environment
External environment
Source: (Zhang et al., 2023)
This is a way that I can support a friend journeying through mental illness
Start the conversation, encourage them, share resources, check in regularly, learn about them, listen to them
Source: (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024)
This is an example of positive coping strategies
Getting appropriate sleep, writing/journaling, listening to music, exercising, eating a healthy diet, socialization
Source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025)
Feeling sad for two or more weeks, hearing or believing things that aren’t real, and trying to harm oneself are all examples of _______.
Warning signs showing that someone could benefit from mental health support
Source: (National Institute of Mental Health, 2025)
This is something you can text or call if you are having a mental health crisis, or even just need someone to listen and support you.
Textline and phone call lines such as the NAMI Help Line, Crisis Text Line, or 988
Source: (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2025; Crisis Text Line, 2025; 988 Lifeline, 2025)
What is an example of a mental illness?
An example of a mental illness could be: Major Depressive Disorder, Social Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and many more.
Source: (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
“___ is negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. It often prevents people from pursuing care, increases morbidity, and diminishes the quality of life for those with poor mental health.”
Stigma
Source: (Ahad et al., 2023)
This is similar to coping, but it is the persistent maintenance of health.
Self care is “the ability to care for oneself through awareness, self-control, and self-reliance in order to achieve, maintain, or promote optimal health and well-being.” (Martinez et al., 2021)
Additionally, a study showed that, “Self-care decreases stress, promotes coping, and improves mental health”. Self care may be more effective in improving mental health, rather than in the moment coping mechanisms (Riegel et al., 2024).
___ is the most commonly used substance in the US, excessively taking this substance could negatively impact ___
Alcohol, Mental health.
Research shows people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems. It’s also true that people with severe mental illness are more likely to have alcohol problems. This may be because they ‘self-medicate’, meaning they drink to deal with difficult feelings or symptoms.
1 Source: (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)
2 Source: (Mental Health Foundation, 2022)
211 is a resource that ___
Can help you find local resources!
“The 211 network in the United States responds to more than 16 million requests for help every year. Most calls, web chats, and text messages are from people looking for help meeting basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and health care.”
“The 211 service is provided by more than 200 local organizations that are committed to serving their communities. Many different kinds of organizations operate the 211 service, including United Ways, Goodwill, Community Action Partnerships, and local crisis centers.”
Source (United Way 211, 2024)
What does DSM stand for?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The American Psychiatric Association’s professional reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions. This is the main guide for mental health providers in the U.S. The latest version, the DSM-5-TR, was published in 2022.
Source: (Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
Reducing stigma may look like ___
Having open conversations around mental health, treating others with empathy and acceptance, or portraying mental health accurately with context
Source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025)
This is a way to fight mental health stigma.
Talking, educating, using sensitive language, encouraging equality between physical and mental health, showing compassion, expressing empowerment over shame, being honest about treatment, calling out stigma, and avoiding self-stigma.
Source: (Greenstein, 2017)
Can joking about suicide be a warning sign?
It can be a warning sign. Talking about wanting to kill oneself indicates someone may be at immediate risk. It can be difficult to determine what's a joke and what is a call for help.
Source: (Mental Health America of South Central Kansas, 2024)
Myth or fact: Seeking support for mental health makes you crazy, you should feel ashamed and embarrassed you need help
Myth! Seeking support isn't shameful, you are not alone.
Source: (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024)
What is Psychotherapy?
“Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most psychotherapy takes place one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional or with other patients in a group setting.”
“In general, the goal of therapy is to gain relief from symptoms, maintain or enhance daily functioning, and improve quality of life.”
Source: (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024)
What can you do if a friend needs immediate support?
Ask about the issue (i.e., “Are you thinking about suicide”), stay with them, tell an adult, offer a resource, go to the hospital if their life is in immediate danger.
Source: (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024)