Coping and Mental Health
What is "mental health"?
Mental health is about our feelings, thinking, emotions and moods.
Mental health is important for a happy, healthy and productive life.
Just like we brush our teeth every day, we need to make sure our brains have the tools we need to be mentally healthy.
What is the difference between thoughts and emotions?
Emotions are what we feel.
Thoughts are what we say to ourselves in our head.
What does it mean when the material says "your brain is a muscle"?
The brain can grow and strengthen with practice, like a muscle gets stronger with exercise.
Which of these goals is most likely to be accomplished and why?
- Do better in math class
- Get along better with friends
- Learn 3 new songs on my guitar by the end of the month
- Help make the garden look nice for spring
Learn 3 new songs on my guitar by the end of the month. It is short-term and specific.
Describe the Ripple Effect
One rude action can hurt someone, cause them to snap back, involve others, and affect the whole school. Your actions "ripple" outwards.
Name 2 every day coping skills that we have learned that can help you when you're feeling a big emotion.
Deep breathing
Counting
Positive Self-Talk
Reading
Listening to Music
Exercise
Etc.
Name 2 healthy ways to respond to someone saying something about you that isn't true.
Ignore it
Calm down and then talk it out with the person
Give one "fixed mindset" thought and change it to a "growth mindset" thought.
(answers vary)
Fixed: this is too hard.
Growth: this may take some time and effort.
Why are specific goals important?
A specific goal is clear and describes exactly what you need to do, a timeline of when it needs to be accomplished by, and you'll know when you've achieved it.
Give one assertive phrase students can use if they are being targeted.
Stop, I don't like that.
Knock it off.
That was funny at first, but not anymore.
Answers may vary.
5 uncomfortable feelings that may affect a person
Sad, angry, mad, frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, nervous, disgusted, etc.
Thoughts, feelings, actions: which gives you the most control and why?
Emotions are what we feel.
Thoughts are what we say to ourselves in our head.
2 ways the practicing gratitude can help your mental health or mindset.
Boost mood, reduce stress, improve focus, and strengthen resilience.
What are 2 ways you can motivate yourself to end the year strong?
Get homework done and turned in every day.
Study for 20 minutes every night.
Positive mindset and self-talk.
Answers may vary.
When someone apologizes but you're still upset, what 2 things can the apologizer do to make the apology better and help repair the harm?
A sincere apology, take responsibility, offer to help fix it, follow up with changed behavior.
Who should you talk to if you are concerned about your own or a friend's mental health? (The phrase we use when we talk about talking to someone)
A trusted adult.
The part of the brain that slows your body down and is used for thinking.
The Cortex
True or False: a neuron is a cell that sends and receives signals in your brain.
True
Why are long-term goals hard to achieve?
It takes awhile to reach the goal, wants/needs can change, may not be specific.
What is an I statment?
I feel _____, when you_____.
Everyday Feelings v. Overwhelming Feelings
Everyday feelings come and go and are a normal reaction to what is happening in our lives. They are always changing and don't usually hang around for too long.
Overwhelming feelings hang around for a long time, change the way we feel and behave and may stop us from doing what we want to in life. You have heard people call them a mental health problem, mental illness or mental disorder.
The part of the brain that sounds the alarm and triggers big feelings and big reactions.
The amygdala
Describe how repeatedly practicing a skill relates to "creating neural pathways" and how that supports a growth mindset.
Repeating a skill strengthens connections in the brain, making the skill easier and making the brain more efficient.
What small-step strategy is described for turning big long-term goals into easier actions?
Breaking big goals down into specific, smaller goals.
What are the 3 parts of a Triple A Apology?
Apologize, Amends, Action