Diagnosis
Coping Skills
Myth Busters!
Treatment
100
Low mood, sadness, and hopelessness can be traits of this condition.
What is depression?
100

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.

100

Myth or Fact: 1 in 5 Canadian adults have experienced a mental health problem.

Fact

100

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

200
Excessive worry, fear, and panic attacks can be symptoms of this disorder.
What is anxiety?
200

This skill requires a radio or tablet.

What is listening to music?

200
Myth or Fact: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Pills can cure any mental illness.
Myth! Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both.
200

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. 

300

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.

300
Walking, swimming, jogging, lifting weights, using a treadmill, and playing sports are examples of this coping skill.
What is exercise?
300

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.

300

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

400

Mood cycling between times of elevated/energized moods and low/depressed.

What is bipolar disorder?

400
This object is a squishy sphere that you could use when anxious or fidgety.
What is a stress ball?
400

Myth or Fact: Mental health problems are common.

Fact! For example, 1 in 10 Canadians have experienced depression.

400

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.

500
Flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety can be symptoms of this disorder that often develops after very stressful life events.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
500

This skill doesn't require talking. A pen/crayon and paper are all you need to write down your thoughts.

What is journaling?

500
Myth or Fact: Mental health problems cannot get better with time.
Myth! Some disorders can become less troublesome as we get older and some we can grow out of with help!
500

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

600

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.

600

Name 3 positive coping skills.

Reading, writing, exercise, music, meditation...

600
Myth or Fact: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.
Myth! Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: -Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry -Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse -Family history of mental health problems
600

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. 

700
This disorder can include symptoms such as impulsivity, difficulty focusing, and hyperactivity.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
700
This skill can take practice, but can involve quieting your mind and creating a sense of calm.
What is meditation?
700
Myth or Fact: Children don't experience mental health problems.

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.

700

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.

800

Characterized by an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

Phobia

800

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.

800

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.

800

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.