Contributing Factors
Myth or Fact:
Having a mental health diagnosis means you have a chemical imbalance.
Myth!
Depression and Anxiety are almost always situational. Sometimes Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance.
Some Mental Health diagnoses are caused by adaptation of unhealthy coping skills. Some children learn unhealthy coping skills by watching other family members cope in unhealthy ways.
What is the definition of mental health disorders?
A clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour.
Myth or Fact:
People with Mental Health Disorders will not get better.
Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their symptoms.
True of 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.
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.
Definition: How you feel about yourself.
Self-Esteem
Myth or Fact:
Having more that one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) puts you at higher risk for Mental Illness.
Fact.
10 ACES
1- Physical Abuse
2- Emotional Abuse
3- Sexual Abuse
4- Physical Neglect
5- Emotional Neglect
6- Familial Mental Illness
7- Mother treated violently
8- Divorce
9- Incarcerated relative
10- Substance abuse
PTSD
This develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event.
Which month is Mental Health awareness month?
May
True or False- admitting that something is wrong is giving up on yourself.
FALSE. Admitting you are having problems is often very hard to do, and asking for help is a sign of strength and willingness to work through what you are experiencing.
What is the Fight or Flight (or freeze) response?
Your body's response to stress or your body's reaction to a threat.
Myth or Fact:
If someone in your family has a mental illness, you are more likely to develop one as well.
Fact. Although you will not necessarily develop any kind of mental illness, if someone in your family has a mental disorder you will be at higher risk. Be aware of you habits, feelings, and talk to someone if you feel you may be exhibiting symptoms.
Depression
A constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, which stops you doing your normal activities.
List 5 that you would seek help if you are experiencing symptoms of mental health.
- SEL Team
- Guidance Counselor
- Teacher
- Trusted Adult
- Coach
- Doctor or nurse
- Suicide hotline
- Therapist
What is a support system?
A network of people that can provide you with practical or emotional support.
These are used to reduce stress and improve mental wellness
Coping mechanisms
List 3 factors that would make a person more susceptible to experiencing mental health symptoms.
- Genes
- Physical Illness
- Injury
- Brain Chemistry
- Life Experiences/ Trauma History
- History of abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Anxiety
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Name 2 helpful (positive) stress management activities and 2 unhelpful (negative) stress management activities.
Meditation, going for a walk, reading a good book, managing time wisely.
Sleeping too much, drinking energy drinks to "make up" for sleep loss, avoiding school by faking sick.
What are two types of relaxation techniques?
Mediation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Yoga, and Deep Breathing
Impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations) are all symptoms of what?
An anxiety attack
List 5 ways social media can affect mental health
- Fear of missing out
- Cyberbullying
- Isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Self esteem
List 5 symptoms of anxiety
741741
What is the Suicide Text Line
Name 3 reason why people hesitate to get help
- burden anyone else with their problems
- it is hard to talk about
- it makes them feel vulnerable
- fear of being judged
- stigma
- don't know who to tell
- don't think the problem is "serious enough"
- asking for help is "giving up"
- no resources available
To cause an intense and negative emotional reaction
What is a Trigger