Mental Health Basics
What does the acronym "PTSD" stand for?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Is this a thought or a feeling: “I’m not good enough”?
Thought
What is a “growth mindset”?
Believing you can improve with effort and learning.
Name three basic emotions.
Happy, sad, angry (others: scared, disgusted, surprised).
What food can never spoil—ever?
Honey
Name one common symptom of Depression
Sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite.
Name one example of a negative thought.
“I’ll never get better,” “I’m a failure.”
What is a “fixed mindset”?
Believing your abilities are unchangeable.
What does anger usually try to protect us from?
Hurt, fear, or feeling disrespected.
What household item was invented by accident while trying to make a weapon?
Microwave
True or False: Anxiety is always a bad thing.
False - anxiety can be useful in small amounts
Finish this sentence: “Just because I think it, doesn’t mean ___.”
"Its true"
True or False: Mistakes are opportunities to learn.
True
What is one way to calm yourself when feeling triggered?
Deep breathing, grounding, removing yourself from the situation.
Which planet spins the fastest?
Jupiter
What kind of professional prescribes medication for mental health?
Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
True or False: Thoughts are facts.
False
How does a person with a growth mindset react to failure?
They see it as a chance to improve or learn.
True or False: You can control your emotions 100% of the time.
False – but you can control how you respond.
What beverage was originally green?
Coca-Cola
What does it mean to be “triggered”?
Having a strong emotional reaction to a specific event, memory, or situation.
Name one way our thoughts can affect our mood.
Negative thoughts can make us feel worse; positive ones can lift our mood.
“Challenges help you ____.”
Grow.
What is emotional regulation?
Managing your emotional responses in a healthy way.
What’s the only food astronauts can’t take into space because it crumbles?
Bread
What’s the difference between sadness and depression?
Sadness is temporary; depression is long-lasting and affects daily functioning.
Give an example of a helpful thought you can use when you feel anxious.
“This feeling will pass,” “I can handle this.”
What can you tell yourself when you want to give up?
“Keep going,” “You’ve made it through before.”
Name one physical sign that you're getting upset.
Racing heart, clenched fists, shallow breathing.
What’s the most common color of toilet paper in France?
Pink
Name one type of therapy used to treat mental illness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), etc.
What’s a “cognitive distortion”?
An inaccurate or exaggerated thought pattern that reinforces negative thinking.
What’s something you used to think you couldn’t do—but learned over time?
Personal/group answer - no wrong answer
Why is it helpful to name your emotions?
It helps you understand and manage them better.
What was the first toy to be advertised on television?
Mr. Potato Head