Let's Be Real (Myth or Fact)
A Mental Health Crisis ONLY affects certain people.
Myth.
Mental Health problems DON'T discriminate and can affect anyone: Upbringing, income, race, or gender, no one is immune.
If I practice deep breathing, I can lower my stress and anxiety.
True:
Deep breathing reduces sympathetic nervous system activation which controls the body's responses to threats.
True or False - Seeking help for mental health crisis will lead to being ostracized and make symptoms worse.
DAILY DOUBLE!
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.
Yes or No - Are you helping your friend if they come talk to you and you don't have any advice to give them?
Yes.
By being open and letting them vent about what's going on, you are helping to alleviate their stress and get things off of their chest. You are not a professional (or maybe you are, who knows), and you can't expect to have all the answers. Sometimes just listening is all they need.
How many hearts does an Octopus have?
Three.
Most people with mental health issues receive assistance through services.
Myth.
Nearly 60% of adults with a mental illness did not receive mental health services in the previous year.
Nearly 50% of youth aged 8-15 didn’t receive mental health services in the previous year.
When I pose like a tree or pretzel it helps me feel relaxed and also gives me a good stretch.
What is Yoga?
Name 3 people you can talk to if you are having a hard time while you’re away from home
Doctor – Social Work – Case Manager – Patient Advocate – BHTs – Nurses – BHCs - Activity Therapists – Peers – Calling your support system over the phone
True or False - If your friend tells you that they are going to harm themselves and they make you promise to keep it a secret, you should always respect their wishes and keep it a secret.
False.
If you are concerned for their safety, tell someone. Talk to someone who can help. It is better to have a friend who is alive and mad at you than to lose a friend. If you think they are serious, do not be afraid to call 911.
What are the only birds that can fly backwards?
A Humminbird
Talking about feeling depressed makes things worse.
Myth.
It may help to talk with a supportive, reliable, and nonjudgmental listener. Many cases, a certified therapist is better equipped to give support.
While closing my eyes, I sit in a comfortable quiet place to focus on breathing and relaxing my muscles.
What is Meditation?
True or False - Medication is the only treatment method that works for mental health crisis.
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.
True or False - If you find the right words to say and spend enough time with them, you can assist your friend in ridding them of their mental health issue.
DAILY DOUBLE!
False.
Temporarily you can make them feel better, but if there is an underlying cause making them feel bad, you can't fix it on your own. Sometimes helping a friend through something like this is challenging and frustrating because you cannot instantly make everything better. Being patient is key, and realizing that they need to be able to work out their own problem is needed to avoid burning yourself out. You can be a huge support for them, but ultimately you cannot fix everything.
What are female elephants called?
Cows!
My Mental Health is not as important as Physical health.
Myth.
Mental Health can significantly effect our ability to function: how we work, relationships with others. It can also have effects on physical problems such as GI issues, high blood pressure, and weaken the immune system.
The body's response to a challenge or demand that can be triggered by a range of events and can cause my heart rate and blood pressure rise.
DAILY DOUBLE!
What is Stress?
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 friend or person who supports you during a mental health issue.
False.
Supporters are there to listen to whatever is troubling you, and you can open up to them at a pace that you are comfortable with. Sometimes we just need to vent.
Tip: If you feel like you might get nervous and freeze up, it often helps to write things down. This also helps you to organize your thoughts and put things in perspective.
Name 3 things you can do to help a friend who thinks they may have a mental health issue.
Listen to them - Spend time with them - Encourage them to seek help - Go with them to appointments/Help them make appointments - Show them that you care – Don’t judge – Ask someone for advice – If it is serious, tell someone
Do cats or dogs have the most vocal sounds?
DAILY DOUBLE!
Cats!
Cats have over 100 and dogs only have about 10
Having stressful thoughts can make you physically sick.
DAILY DOUBLE!
Fact.
Stress is very common.
Long term stress can play a role in how you feel physically. Common signs can include:
-headaches - muscle aches - GI issues - dizziness - racing heart
What event is this describing? "Sweating, nausea, trembling and numbness in the legs or hands, dizziness, hot or cold flashes, a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest, rapid breathing, “jelly” legs or blurred vision can develop. Individuals may even feel like they are going to have a heart attack".
What is a Panic attack / Anxiety attack?
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 can be improved.
Name 3 reasons why people hesitate to get help.
They don't want to "burden anyone else with their problems" – It is hard to talk about – It makes them feel vulnerable – Fear of being judged or labled – Stigma – Don't know who to tell – Don't think the problem is "serious enough" – Asking for help is "giving up" – No resources available
Facts: Your friends will feel worse if you don't come talk to them if you need help / need to talk. They are your friends for a reason, and they don't want you to feel bad! Don't be afraid to talk about it!
What is the only animal with 4 knees that are forward-facing?
Elephants.
They are the only animal to have four forward-facing knees. All other four-legged animals have at least one pair of legs with knees that face backwards.
Fun Fact: They also are the only animals that can't jump.