Basic Mental Health
True or False: Negative mental health symptoms occur in less than 30% of students in the past year
False, 40% of students reported low mental health
The name we use for techniques to help manage stress
coping skills
True or False: Anxiety is not normal
False
Supports you can contact for student mental health concerns
School Counselors and (if this applies) School-Based Therapist
Examples of negative coping skills
excessive phone use, avoidance of responsibilities, excessive naps, excessive drinking
Coping skill clinically proven to reduce anxiety and stress
Mindfulness
Provide 3 examples of warning signs
Trouble with concentration and memory, Irritability or restlessness, Changes in appetite, sleep habit or school performance, Poor hygiene, Not wanting to be around others or take part in activity, Loss of interests in things they used to enjoy, Physical symptoms, Risky behaviors, Giving belongings away, Drastic personality changes, Obsession with death or statements about harm to self, Not planning for the future
What are interventions to facilitate trauma-informed care?
writing or art prompts, providing choices, group/partner work and student check-ins
Examples of trauma
Various types of abuse, Foster care or separation from family, Death of a loved one, Natural Disasters, Health issues, Bullying, illness, mass shootings.
Percent of people with mental health who show symptoms by age 14
50%
Describe the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique
5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
True or false: Talking about self-harm/suicide increases likelihood it will happen.
False
Demographics with the highest levels of mental health struggles
Girls and those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community
What is Mindfulness?
Bringing focus to our thoughts, feelings and actions in a present moment.
Any 3 of the 4 stress responses
Fight
Flight
Freeze
Fawn