Mental Health 101

Positive Mental Health

100

What is the focus on the positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, strengths, and fulfillment, rather than solely on pathology and mental illness.

Positive Psychology

200

Name two examples of positive psychology? 

Focusing on your strengths, recording your experiences, being grateful, showing gratitude, and developing skills to increase positivity

300

What are the potential benefits of Positive Psychology?

An increase in self-esteem, improved relationships, and a greater outlook on life.

400

True or False: Positive Psychology advises that people push away negative emotions.

Although the focus of positive psychology is on happiness and fulfillment, it is important to understand that this DOES NOT mean people are advised to push away their negative emotions altogether. People who are flourishing make room in their lives for such inevitable states of mind.

500

What does the acronym “PERMA”, stand for?

• P – Positive Emotions: Even though seeking positive emotions alone is not a very effective way to boost your wellbeing, experiencing positive emotion is still an important factor. Part of wellbeing is enjoying yourself in the moment, i.e., experiencing positive emotions;
• E – Engagement: Having a sense of engagement, in which we may lose track of time and become completely absorbed in something we enjoy and excel at, is an important piece of wellbeing. It’s hard to have a developed sense of wellbeing if you are not truly engaged in anything you do.
• R – (Positive) Relationships: Humans are social creatures, and we rely on connections with others to truly flourish. Having deep, meaningful relationships with others is vital to our wellbeing;
• M – Meaning: Even someone who is deliriously happy most of the time may not have a developed sense of wellbeing if they do not find meaning in their life. When we dedicate ourselves to a cause or recognize something bigger than ourselves, we experience a sense of meaning that there is simply no replacement for;
• A – Accomplishment / Achievement: We all thrive when we are succeeding, achieving our goals, and bettering ourselves. Without a drive to accomplish and achieve, we are missing one of the puzzle pieces of authentic wellbeing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          (Seligman, 2011).

Diagnosis

100

Who can diagnosis a Mental Health Disorder?

Psychiatrist

200

According to WHO (World Health Organization), the definition of a Mental Health Disorder is.... 

A clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.  It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.

300

In 2021 the CDC, (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention), found that roughly 1 and 5 Americans are living with a Mental Health Disorder. In no particular order, what are the 3 most common mental health disorders in the United States?

Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and PTSD.

400

Name 4 of classes of Mental Health Disorders.  

The main classes of mental illness are:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders- This class covers a wide range of problems that usually begin in infancy or childhood, often before the child begins grade school. Examples include autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders.
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders- Psychotic disorders cause detachment from reality — such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking and speech. The most notable example is schizophrenia, although other classes of disorders can be associated with detachment from reality at times.
• Bipolar and Related Disorders- This class includes disorders with alternating episodes of mania — periods of excessive activity, energy and excitement — and depression.
• Depressive Disorders- These include disorders that affect how you feel emotionally, such as the level of sadness and happiness, and they can disrupt your ability to function. Examples include major depressive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
• Anxiety Disorders- Anxiety is an emotion characterized by the anticipation of future danger or misfortune, along with excessive worrying. It can include behavior aimed at avoiding situations that cause anxiety. This class includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.
• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders- These disorders involve preoccupations or obsessions and repetitive thoughts and actions. Examples include obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding disorder and hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania).
• Trauma-and stressor-related Disorders- These are adjustment disorders in which a person has trouble coping during or after a stressful life event. Examples include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder.
• Dissociative Disorders- These are disorders in which your sense of self is disrupted, such as with dissociative identity disorder and dissociative amnesia.
• Feeding and Eating Disorders- These disorders include disturbances related to eating that impact nutrition and health, such as anorexia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
• Gender Dysphoria- This refers to the distress that accompanies a person's stated desire to be another gender.
• Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders- These disorders include problems with emotional and behavioral self-control, such as kleptomania or intermittent explosive disorder.
• Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders- These include problems associated with the excessive use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and drugs. This class also includes gambling disorder.
• Personality Disorders- A personality disorder involves a lasting pattern of emotional instability and unhealthy behavior that causes problems in your life and relationships. Examples include borderline, antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders.
• Paraphilic Disorders- These disorders include sexual interest that causes personal distress or impairment or causes potential or actual harm to another person. Examples are sexual sadism disorder, voyeuristic disorder and pedophilic disorder.

(Mayo Clinc, 2023)

500

Symptoms of this Mental Health Disorder may include persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, highly disorganized behavior, extreme agitation, and persistent difficulties with their cognitive functioning

Schizophrenia

Mental Health Myths

100

True or False: Anyone can develop a Mental Health Condition.

True- Mental health issues can affect anyone. In 2020, about:

• One in 5 American adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year
• One in 6 young people have experienced a major depressive episode
• One in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

(SAMHSA, 2023)

200

True or False: Substance Use Disorders are a Mental Health Disorder 

True: According to DSM-5, a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects.

300

True or False: Children can not be diagnosed with a Mental Health Disorder. 

False-

Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health conditions are often clinically diagnosable and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14-years-old, and three-quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.

Unfortunately, only half of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health conditions receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.

(SAMHSA, 2023)

400

True or False: People with a Mental Health Disorder are more likely to commit a violent crime.

False: Most people with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent than anyone else.

Only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of a violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health condition and don't even realize it, because many people with mental health conditions are highly active and productive members of our communities

(SAMHSA, 2023)

500

True or False: Mental Health Conditions can be preventable.

True: 

Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing known risk factors; such as exposure to trauma, that can affect the chances that children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health conditions. Promoting a person’s social-emotional well-being leads to:

• Higher overall productivity
• Better educational outcomes
• Lower crime rates
• Stronger economies
• Improved quality of life
• Increased lifespan
• Improved family life

(SAMHSA, 2023)

Treatments

100

What is one of the most treatable Mental Health Disorder? 

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

(Psychiatry, 2023)

200

Name a treatment that does not require a healthcare professional. 

Using Coping Skills

300

There are four major types of therapy. Name one of those therapies. 

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- A short-term, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on the link between our thoughts (cognition) and our actions (behavior). It is intended to help people change thought patterns that cause unhealthy, unproductive, or incapacitating behavior.

2. Psychodynamic Therapy- An emphasizes how certain life events and relationships, both past and present, affect your current feelings, relationships, and choices. Its goal is to help you acknowledge and understand negative feelings and repressed emotions so you can resolve internal psychological conflicts, and improve life experiences, self-esteem, and relationships. This approach is a popular treatment for people who are depressed.

3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)- A form of cognitive behavior therapy which primary aim is to give people the skills to regulate their emotions, handle stress in a healthy manner, and improve relationships, and live mindfully. Originally developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder, DBT is now used to treat a variety of mental conditions and is believed to be especially helpful for people with seemingly uncontrollable, intense negative emotions or those who may incline toward self-harm. 

4. Humanistic/Experiential Therapy- A focus on a person’s individual nature rather than the collection of behaviors that make up a specific psychological category. The therapy’s holistic approach emphasizes the whole person, especially their positive behaviors and their ability to grow, heal and find self-actualization through self-exploration. People with depression, anxiety and panic disorders, and low self-esteem often seek this approach.

400

True or False: Psychiatric medications can also help make other treatments, such as psychotherapy, more effective.

True- Psychiatric medications can not cure mental illnesses. A multiple prong approach will lead to better quality of life.

(Mayo Clinc, 2023)

500

Name three people who may be part of your treatment team. 

Your treatment team may include your:

• Family or primary care doctor
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Psychiatrist, a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental illnesses
• Psychotherapist, such as a psychologist or a licensed counselor
• Pharmacist
• Social worker
• Family members

Causes,Risk Factors, and Signs

100

Name two signs of a Mental Health Illness. 

• unusual or illogical thoughts
• unreasonable anger or irritability
• poor concentration and memory, not being able to follow a conversation
• hearing voices that no one else can hear
• increased or decreased sleep
• increased or low appetite
• lack of motivation
• withdrawing from people
• drug use
• feelings that life is not worth living or more serious suicidal thoughts
• becoming obsessed with a topic, like death or religion
• not looking after personal hygiene or other responsibilities
• not performing as well at school or work

(Health Direct, 2020)

200

Name two causes of a Mental Health Illness.

• Genetic factors: having a close family member with a mental illness can increase the risk. However, just because one family member has a mental illness doesn't mean that others will.
• Drug and alcohol abuse: illicit drug use can trigger a manic episode (bipolar disorder) or an episode of psychosis. Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines can cause paranoia.
• Other biological factors: some medical conditions or hormonal changes.
• Early life environment: negative childhood experiences such as abuse or neglect can increase the risk of some mental illnesses.
• Trauma and stress: in adulthood, traumatic life events or ongoing stress such as social isolation, domestic violence, relationship breakdown, financial or work problems can increase the risk of mental illness. Traumatic experiences such as living in a war zone can increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Personality factors: some traits such as perfectionism or low self-esteem can increase the risk of depression or anxiety.

(Health Direct, 2020)

300

Name two Risk Factors of a developing a Mental Health Illness. 

• genetic predisposition.
• homelessness and unemployment.
• alcohol and other drug use.
• discrimination and racial injustice.
• family conflict or family disorganization.
• stressful life events.

(Government of Western Australia) 

400

What are so effects of drug use while pregnant? 

Illicit drug use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems.

500

True or False: Parents who are abused as children are more likely to abuse their own children.

True: A review of case history, agency record, and self-report studies indicates that about ONE-THIRD of all individuals who were physically abused, sexually abused, or extremely neglected will subject their children to one of these forms of maltreatment. Although this suggests that being maltreated as a child is an important risk factor in the etiology of abuse, most maltreated children do not become abusive parents.

( United States DOJ, 1987)