Healthy Coping Skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills
Exercising
Deep breathing
Meditation
Journaling
Reading
Spending time with friends
Journaling
Hobbies
What makes a coping skill unhealthy?
They can hurt us, hurt others, or cause other problems
A negative or unhealthy coping skill is not really a coping skill
False. It may be negative or unhealthy but it is still a way people cope
Yelling, crying, putting on a funny movie, playing music, singing are examples of:
A. Problem-focused coping
B. Emotion-focused coping
C. Social support
D. Religious coping
B. Emotion-focused coping
You noticed your friend has seemed detached and sad during the past few weeks. She rarely participates in your after school art club and when she does, she doesn't say much. You asked her if she's okay and she says she's been really depressed lately. What would be an appropriate response?
I'm so sorry. I've noticed that you haven't been your usual self.
I care about you and I'm concerned. I will do whatever I can to help.
(Sometimes being there means letting them decide when they are ready to talk)
Healthy coping skills help us
A. Deal with stressors in our lives
B. Work through our emotions and problems
C. Process our thoughts and emotions
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Name 2 unhealthy coping skills
Substance abuse
Sleeping too much
Overeating/undereating
Defensiveness
Isolating
Others
Coping skills are something everyone is born knowing how to do.
False
Setting boundaries, tackling the problem, challenging false beliefs are examples of:
A. Mindfulness
B. Self-soothing
C. Distraction
D. Problem-focused coping
D. Problem-focused coping
Your best friend comes over and says that they haven't been feeling well lately. They say that they have been diagnosed with anxiety and sometimes this feels like their heart is pounding so hard that it feels like they are having a heart attack. How would you respond?
Any responses that convey: Listening and not trying to change the subject, Don't judge, laugh or dismiss the conversation, keep friend talking. Ask what makes the feel better and if it's something you can do with them or help them with. The next time you see them don't be afraid to follow up and ask how they are doing.
Taking your mind off the problem for a while is called?
Distraction
Dani has a lot of stress from school. When she gets home, she yells at her mother to get her frustration out. Is this a healthy coping skill?
No. What would be a healthy coping skill for Dani?
All stress is out of your control
False
Taking your mind off a problem for a while by doing, for example, puzzles, reading, watching TV, playing games, or listening to music is an example of:
A. Self-soothing
B. Opposite Action
C. Distraction
D. Crisis Plan
D. Distraction
An acquaintance shares with you that they have a mental illness. You don't know them very well, but are concerned. What can you say and do?
Some possible response include:
Thanks for opening up to me.
Is there anything I can do to help?
I'm sorry to hear that. It must be tough.
I can't imagine what you're going through.
The internal voice in your head that contains your thoughts and determines how you perceive situations.
Self-Talk
This unhealthy coping skill can lead to an addiction
Drug/alcohol use (substance use)
Coping skills are used to avoid problems in our lives
False. Avoiding problems is exactly what we should not be doing. Facing our problems is important.
Internal dialogue that makes a person feel good about themselves such as "I'm human and I'm going to make mistakes sometimes" is an example of?
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Humor
D. Positive self-talk
D. Positive self-talk
Jamie is a transgender female who approaches you after class. She tells you one of the camp counselors regularly misgenders her and refuses to call her by her chosen name (deadnames her). Jamie feels disrespected by the camp counselor and is thinking about going home. How would you respond to this situation?
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I'm sorry this happened to you.
It must be so frustrating for you for the camp counselor to not understand and accept you
You are valued I love and support you.
Which of the following is a healthy coping skill?
A. Punching my teacher when she gives me a bad grade
B. Smoking marijuana to cope with a breakup
C. Listening to my favorite music
D. Not attending school because it's boring
C. Listening to my favorite music
What is one emotion that often lead people to engage in unhealthy coping skills?
Anger, Sadness, anxiety, jealousy, depression, guilt, etc
What is a result of using an unhealthy coping skill?
Depression, anxiety, addiction, etc.
Statements that can help brighten your outlook on the world when you say them and help you challenge negative thoughts are?
A. Mindfulness
B. Affirmations
C. Self-soothing
D. Distraction
B. Affirmations
One of your friends reports that their mom and dad are always fighting and your friend just can't take it anymore. His parents ignore him. He feels like a burden because he knows his dad is out of work and mom only works part-time right now and he has 3 siblings. He feels like they would be better of if he wasn't around. He shares that he cuts himself sometimes with a razor blade. What would you do?
Examples of appropriate responses include: Listen nonjudgmentally, encourage him to keep talking, offer support such as I'm here for you and you're not alone, tell him how hard it must be, suggest he talk to somebody (a professional) about what he's going through. Ask him if it's okay if you both talk to an adult about how to help him.