Mental Health Basics
True or False:
Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health
True
Mental health includes our emotions, thoughts, stress level, relationships, and coping skills. Everyone has mental health, even if they do not have a diagnosis.
True or False?
Taking slow deep breaths is a coping skill.
True
Deep breathing can help calm the body, slow racing thoughts, and lower feelings of stress or anxiety.
Finish the quote:"You are not ____"
Alone
This reminds people that support is available and that many people experience mental health challenges.
People with mental health challenges can recover. Myth or Fact?
Fact
Many people live meaningful, successful lives while managing mental health challenges with support, skills, treatment, and recovery tools.
Name one way to care for your body.
Sleep, shower, eat balanced meals, drink water, take medication as prescribed, stretch, or exercise.
Physical health and mental health are connected. Caring for the body can support mood, energy, and daily functioning.
What month is Mental Health Awareness Month?
May
May is used to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people to talk about mental wellness and recovery.
Name one activity that can help reduce stress.
Walking, music, journaling, talking, exercise, coloring, prayer, stretching, or quiet time.
Healthy activities give the mind and body a break and can help a person feel more balanced.
Finish the quote: “Recovery is ______.”
Possible
Recovery does not mean life is perfect. It means people can grow, heal, manage challenges, and build meaningful lives.
Asking for help is weakness. Myth or Fact?
Myth
Asking for help takes courage and shows self-awareness. Support can help people stay safe and make progress.
Name one way to care for your mind.
Relaxation, journaling, therapy, quiet time, positive self-talk, hobbies, or learning coping skills.
Mental self-care gives the brain time to rest, process emotions, and manage stress.
What color is associated with Mental Health Awareness?
Green
Green is commonly used to represent mental health awareness, hope, support, and recovery.
What is 5-4-3-2-1 grounding?
Using your senses or surroundings to calm yourself and stay present.
Grounding helps bring attention back to the current moment instead of getting stuck in worry, fear, anger, or upsetting thoughts.
Finish the quote: “It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay _____.”
There
This encourages people to acknowledge their feelings while also reaching for support and healthy steps forward.
Mental illness can affect anyone.
Myth or Fact?
Fact
Mental health challenges can affect people of any age, background, income level, or life situation.
Drinking water is part of self-care. True or False?
True
Staying hydrated supports the body and brain. Dehydration can affect energy, focus, and how someone feels physically.
Name one emotion people may feel when stressed.
Anxiety, anger, sadness, worry, frustration, or feeling overwhelmed.
Stress can affect emotions in different ways. People may not all react the same, but strong emotions are common when someone feels pressured or overloaded.
Name one sign you may need a break.
Feeling irritable, overwhelmed, tired, anxious, angry, tearful, tense, or unable to focus.
These signs can be clues that stress is building and that using a coping skill or stepping away may help.
What does “one day at a time” mean?
Focus on today and take things step by step.
Breaking challenges into smaller steps can make problems feel less overwhelming.
Self-care is selfish. Myth or Fact?
Myth
Self-care helps people maintain their health and energy. Taking care of yourself can help you show up better for others too.
Why is sleep important?
It helps mood, energy, focus, memory, and physical health.
Lack of sleep can make stress harder to manage and may increase irritability or difficulty concentrating.
What is one healthy way to ask for help?
Talk to staff, a therapist, a peer specialist, a doctor, a trusted friend, or family member.
Asking for help connects a person to support, problem-solving, encouragement, and safety.
What coping skill can you use anywhere without supplies?
Breathing, counting, positive self-talk, grounding, stretching, or taking a short pause.
Some coping skills are useful because they can be used quietly and immediately without needing materials.
What message does “Progress not perfection” teach?
Small growth matters, and nobody has to be perfect.
Recovery and wellness are built through small efforts over time. Mistakes do not erase progress.
Talking about mental health helps reduce stigma. Myth or Fact?
Fact
Open, respectful conversations help people understand mental health better and can make it easier for others to seek help.
Name one self-care activity that costs no money.
Walking, deep breathing, stretching, listening to music, resting, talking to someone, prayer, or sitting outside.
Self-care does not have to be expensive. Simple daily habits can support wellness.