Mental Health Basics
What is the most common mental health condition in the U.S.?
What is anxiety?
Myth or Fact: Mental illness is often caused by a single traumatic event.
What is myth? (Mental illness usually results from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.)
This animated movie shows the emotional struggles of a young girl through characters like Joy and Sadness.
What is Inside Out?
This 24/7 text-based crisis service can help people in emotional distress.
What is the Crisis Text Line?
This type of activity, like journaling or meditation, helps manage stress.
What is mindfulness?
This term describes a state of well-being in which a person realizes their potential.
What is mental health?
True or False: You can have good mental health even if you have a diagnosed mental illness.
What is true? (Mental health is a spectrum, and many people manage conditions effectively.)
This Netflix teen drama sparked conversations about teen mental health and suicide.
What is 13 Reasons Why?
This free, confidential hotline provides support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
What is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)?
The practice of intentionally taking time to relax and recharge.
What is self-care?
This neurotransmitter is often called the “feel-good” chemical.
What is serotonin?
Fact or Myth: Children can't experience mental health issues.
What is myth? (Children can absolutely experience mental health issues. While it's often thought of as something that only affects adults, children can face a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and even eating disorders. Mental health problems in children can show up as changes in behavior, mood, or academic performance, and early intervention can make a significant difference in their well-being. )
In Encanto, this character struggles silently with anxiety while appearing strong to everyone else.
Who is Luisa?
This cultural phenomenon, particularly in the U.S., often stigmatizes mental health treatment as a form of weakness, especially among men.
What is toxic masculinity?
The practice of maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, and creating a calming bedtime routine is known as this.
What is sleep hygiene?
Name two warning signs of depression.
What are withdrawal and fatigue?
Myth or Fact: Talking openly about suicide increases the risk of someone attempting it.
What is myth? (Open, supportive conversations can actually help reduce risk.)
This hit HBO show follows teens dealing with addiction, trauma, and mental illness, with Zendaya in the lead.
What is Euphoria?
This social media trend often perpetuates unrealistic standards, causing many teens to feel inadequate and contribute to mental health stigma.
What is "social comparison" or "Instagram culture" or "TikTok culture"?
This self-care strategy involves setting boundaries with people or activities that drain your energy.
What is personal boundary setting?
What is the difference between mental health and mental illness?
Mental health is a general state of well-being; mental illness is a diagnosable condition.
True or False: Mental health disorders always present with visible symptoms.
What is false? (Many people hide or mask symptoms, and some disorders are internalized.)
This comedian opened up about his borderline personality disorder in a special and SNL skits.
Who is Pete Davidson?
This federally funded program offers free or low-cost mental health services to those who meet income requirements.
What is Medicaid? (Also acceptable: What is a community mental health center?)
This breathing technique, often used for relaxation, involves inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, and exhaling for 4 seconds.
What is box breathing?