Mental Health Awareness
Mental health is NOT the same as this, which is a health condition characterized by changes in thinking, mood, or behaviour associated with significant distress.
What is mental illness?
At times when the "bad kind" of this is very high, our "thinking brain" may not be as activated as our "animal brain" and we may forget our coping strategies.
What is stress?
This should always be done after using the bathroom, and is important for avoiding spreading germs and getting sick.
What is washing your hands?
As well as macronutrients like protein, these can be added to an easy food like instant ramen by mixing in vegetables.
What are micronutrients?
Or vitamins and minerals
Listening to this can help you relax, enjoy life, get excited, or just be in a better mood.
What is music?
If someone needed to talk about their mental health late at night, they could use one of these.
What is a distress line?
Or crisis hotline
Or Kids Help Phone
Or similar
TRUE or FALSE
It is helpful to have a mix of ways to cope during hard times. While sometimes we need distractions (like watching a funny show), at other times we may need to do this to reflect on our problems (like talking with someone you trust).
TRUE
we don't want to avoid our problems; they may never resolve, or we might become more fearful of them
Having a healthy amount of this at night can help improve your mood, performance (physical and academic), stress management, memory, and more.
What is sleep?
Spending time here can make you feel calmer and more grounded, and it can be as easy as a walk in the park.
What is outdoors?
(Or, What is nature/outside...)
This is a great way to express yourself, even if you can't find the words.
What is art?
(also accept drawing, etc)
TRUE OR FALSE?
Depression is the same as sadness. These can and should be used interchangeably.
FALSE
Anger is a normal, healthy emotion that arises in response to a perceived threat, provocation, or injustice. But this unhealthy response (aka uncontrollable anger) is at the highest end of the anger spectrum, and can result in dangerous or harmful behaviors, including violence.
What is rage?
Not washing your hands before doing this activity can lead to a gastrointestinal illness ("stomach bug").
What is eating?
TRUE or FALSE
There are many different kinds of healthy diets, but it is important to include at least some whole, unprocessed foods in your diet.
TRUE
TRUE or FALSE?
You have to be good at art for it to improve your mental health.
FALSE
This is our body’s natural alarm system, signalling the possibility of danger. But when this response arises too frequently or intensely and doesn’t match the actual danger, it can interfere with life and cause distress such as panic attacks.
What is anxiety?
Stress responses, also known as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, are part of our natural reactions to stressful, frightening, or dangerous events. The one activated when someone is unable to move or act against a threat is this.
What is the freeze response?
If find that you are smelling strongly, you should do this to your body and clothing.
What is washing?
Exercise can make your brain release "feel good" chemicals like this/these, which help improve your mood.
(Multiple possible answers -- name one or more!)
What are endorphins, dopamine, and seratonin?
(Accept any or all!)
This is a month-long art challenge focused on improving skill and developing positive drawing habits.
Our mental health lies on a spectrum and how we’re feeling can fluctuate up and down as we live our lives. If someone finds themselves on the extreme opposite end of healthy, and may require urgent care, we might say they are in this state.
What is crisis?
This breathing technique, also called four-square breathing, is a simple but powerful relaxation practice that can help return your breath to a relaxed rhythm.
What is box breathing?
Count to 4 for each: inhale -- hold -- exhale -- hold
Keeping yourself clean, taking care of your body and brain, and getting enough sleep are all part of this, which contributes to your mental health.
What is self-care?
Adding this type of exercise to your cardio session has been shown to reduce depression.
What is strength training?
Or resistance training, or weight training...
Keeping one of these with your thoughts and feelings, or maybe your drawings, can help you deal with stress and anxiety, as well as build positive habits and give you something to look back at.
What is a journal?