Let's Be Real!
(true or false)
(true or false)
Everyone has mental health.
True. Your mental health can change day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute, but everyone has mental health.
What are some symptoms of stress?
Irritable, mood shifts, lack or increase in eating, lethargic
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 (or maybe you are, who knows), and you can't expect to have all the answers. Sometimes just listening is all they need.
What is one thing you can do today to support your mental health?
False. A diagnosis of mental illness will come from a Psychiatrist, Psychologist or your family doctor.
Name 3 symptoms of Depression
feelings of despair and hopelessness
feeling detached from those around you continued
fatigue or loss of energy
feelings of sadness
changes in eating or sleeping patterns
persistent or recurring headaches or frequent gastrointestinal upsets
Name 3 places/people you can go to to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
friends, trusted adult, parent, guardian, siblings, teacher, mentors, counselors, mental health professionals
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.
No, and that's totally okay! Everyone's mental health looks different, and because so, it also means that everyone's mental health has different needs! Some folks may find therapy most helpful while others find that medication has been just as relieving.
If someone in your family has a mental illness, you will also be diagnosed with a mental illness.
False. Although some illnesses seem to have a genetic link, just because someone in your family has a mental illness does not mean that you will have one, too. Everybody has their own genetic makeup and you are an individual.
Your friend has become detached and no longer wants to participate in their usual hobbies. You've also noticed that they seem sad more often than usual. What could they be experiencing?
Depression, Anxiety, depressive episode, tending to their needs and emotions
(true or false) If you see someone having a hard day, you should leave them alone and give them space.
False. The best thing you can do is ask how they are feeling and if they are okay. If they say they just need space, give them space. But sometimes just having a friend check on them is all they need to help them feel a little better.
(true or false) I am allowed to take the time and space I need to take care of my mental health.
True! You have the right to take up as much space as you need to attend to your needs. You have a right to feel supported, both by those around you and yourself. Feel free to include individuals you trust and can lean on in that space, too!
You can catch a mental illness from someone who has it, it is contagious.
False. Mental illness is not at all contagious.
What are some symptoms someone my experience when feeling anxious?
Shaky, upset stomach, jittery, racing thoughts, panicky...
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. This also helps you to organize your thoughts and put things in perspective.
Name 3 boundaries you can set to allow you to best support your mental health!
Let those around you know what is okay for them to do when around you.
Set time frames of when friends can reach out (i.e., anytime before 11 pm so that you can rest!)
Let people know when you aren't emotionally able to support them in the moment.
Be vocal about when people do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or offended.
Many boundaries!
What you eat does not affect how you feel.
False. Proper nutrition is incredibly important for mental health. If you eat well, you help get proper nutrients to your brain and that helps you get into a positive state of mental health.
True. Often when people go through a big event or change in their life, their reactions to those changes can very. Because so, those reactions can then cause changes in an individual's mental state. There are signs we can be aware of when someone we know may be experiencing this!
Name 3 signs that a person is experiencing Zoom burn out.
Hard time focusing, irritable, lack of energy, not feeling interested...
How many hours of sleep are needed for brain development, rest and positive mental health?
8-9 hours
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
You should not talk about your mental illness.
False. The more you talk about what you go through and your experience with your mental illness, the more educated others around you are. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t, but if you want to let people know what you go through, speak up and share your experiences.