Diagnosis
What is a coping skill?
Coping skills are strategies that help people deal with mental health challenges in order to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing.
Myth or Fact: 1 in 5 Canadian adults have experienced a mental health problem.
Fact
True or False - Asking for help when you're struggling with mental health means you're weak.
False - asking for help is a sign of strength and a desire to get better
This skill requires a radio or tablet.
What is listening to music?
Myth or Fact: Stopping psych medications "cold turkey" isn't dangerous.
Myth: The decision to stop taking psych meds unplanned and against medical advice can be dangerous, even life threatening. Withdrawl symptoms can be distressing (naseau, dizziness, shakiness) or even fatal. The biochemical balance of the brain needs time adapt and stabilize to changes over time to prevent a medical crisis.
True or false: It isn't possible to be diagnosed with more than one mental health disorder at the same time.
False. Many diagnoses commonly occur together, such as depression and anxiety.
Myth or Fact: People with mental health problems are more violent than those without.
Myth! 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 violent crime than the general population.
Name 3 people you can go to to talk to if you are having a hard time while you’re on the MHU.
Doctor – Social Work – Mental Health Worker – Nurses – Activity Therapists – Peers – Calling your support system over the phone
Mood cycling between times of elevated/energized moods and low/depressed.
What is bipolar disorder?
Myth or Fact: Mental health problems are common.
Fact! For example, 1 in 10 Canadians have experienced depression.
True or False - Seeking help for mental illness will lead to being ostracized and make symptoms worse.
False.
When you do have the strength, courage and bravery to open up to someone else, you are working to alleviate the stigma, increase awareness, empower yourself, grow as a person, and promote understanding of mental health. So don’t let others perceptions scare you from getting the help you need.
This skill doesn't require talking. A pen/crayon and paper are all you need to write down your thoughts.
What is journaling?
True or False - Medication is the only treatment method that works for mental health issues.
False.
Medication can be helpful, and is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the issue, but other methods such as therapy and counselling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options
This disorder is characterized by a disconnection from reality. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation. The person with the condition usually isn't aware of his or her behavior. What is the disorder
Schizophrenia - characterized by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganized speech or behavior, and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficulty with concentration and memory may also be present.
Name 3 positive coping skills.
Reading, writing, exercise, music, meditation...
Myth or Fact: Hypnotism can be an effective treatment for mental health problems.
Fact: Hypnotism can be used to treat several mental health conditions, such as anxiety, fear/phobias, insomnia, panic attacks, stress, sleep problems, and stuttering. It can also be used to treat some physical health concerns, such as asthma, chronic pain, smoking, high blood pressure, and migraines.
Myth: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health conditions.
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.
True or False - Having your treatment plan controlled by a medical professional in mental health is better than you assisting in the design of your own treatment plan.
False.
When people are directly involved in designing their own treatment plan, including defining recovery and wellness goals, choosing services that support them and evaluating treatment decisions and progress, the experience of care and outcomes are improved.
Characterized by an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.
Phobia
Myth or Fact: Sleep is a healthy coping skill.
Fact... usually. Taking a nap when you're overwhelmed to relax and recharge is ok. If you're using sleep to avoid your problems for a prolonged period of time, sleep becomes and unhealthy coping skill.
Myth or Fact: All stress is bad stress.
Myth:
Distress describes the negative kind of stress that most people associate with feeling “stressed out." When in distress, the energy provided is excessive or unusable.
Eustress motivates people to work hard, improve their performance, and reach their goals, even in the face of challenges. The energy provided is proportionate to what is needed in the situation.
True or False - You need to know exactly what you're going to say and how you're going to say it before you talk to a counselor/therapist.
False.
Counselors are there to listen to whatever is troubling you, and you can open up to them at a pace that you are comfortable with.
Tip: If you feel like you might get nervous and freeze up, it often helps to write things down before your appointment. This also helps you to organize your thoughts and put things in perspective.