Myths and Facts
myth or fact: Mental illness is common
Fact! We all know people affected by mental health problems. 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in their life.
What is a sign that someone might be depressed?
Name a coping skill
reading, walking, watching tv. etc
False!
Name a resource that might be helpful to someone experiencing depression.
Hotline, Counselor, Doctor
myth or fact: asking a person about suicide might give them the idea or make them angry
myth!
What's a symptom of anxiety?
sweating, headaches, constant worrying, trouble sleeping, etc. (lots of acceptable answers here)
True or false; we are born with coping skills
False! the ability to cope is not something we are born with and sometimes takes practice.
True or false: there are some treatments for mental health that work for everybody
False!
Panic attacks cause a fear of death because they mimic the signs of what?
A heart attack
Myth or fact: People with mental health conditions are violent
Name 3 situations in life that might negatively affect someone's mental health
death of a loved one, loss of a relationship, an unwanted move, etc.
What is the definition of a coping skill?
methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations
Name a resource in school and a resource outside of school that you could go to if you or a friend were struggling with mental health
Trusted adults, school counselor, 988, helpline
Suicide is the ____ leading cause of death for people aged 10-24.
2nd
Myth or fact: It's possible to prevent mental health condition
fact: we can focus on addressing risk factors, such as exposure to trauma and promote a person's social-emotional well-being
What's an example of a warning sign that might not be noticable?
physical pain, thinking about suicide, feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, etc.
Name a negative coping mechanism
self-harm, substance use
stigma: fear of judgement, rejection, etc.
True or False: You are more likely to experience a mental health condition than you are heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
Myth or Fact: Mental health problems are a sign of weakness
MYTH
Name 3 signs a person might be suicidal
Talking about suicide, giving away prized possessions, self-harm, acting recklessly, hopelessness. (plus many more!)
Name 5 healthy coping skills
exercise, connecting with a friend, reading, journaling, etc.
What are two reasons mental health can be hard to treat?
Can be hard to pinpoint exactly what to do, different treatments work differently for different people, etc.
Name 5 different mental health conditions/illnesses