MENTAL HEALTH 1
Statements like, "you're too sensitive" or "It's not a big deal" are examples of a) validating or b) invalidating someone else's feelings and experiences.
Invalidating. When someone invalidates your feelings and experiences it can feel dehumanizing. If you overhear a classmate being dismissive toward someone else, you can step in and be an ALLY.
What do you think is a factor of poor mental health?
a) Persistent Stress b) Chronic Lack of Sleep c) Excessive Social Media use or d) All
D) All can be contributing factors to poor mental health
What is something that might make someone feel nervous?
A variety of answers accepted
True or False? Having Healthy, Supportive Relationships is a Protective Factor against mental health challenges.
True.
Which American singer, songwriter (plus actress, producer, and businesswoman) opened up about her struggles with the highs and lows of Bipolar Disorder? And the freedom she felt after learning about and understanding her diagnosis?
Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, or Lizzo?
Hint: She began her career as a child actress, starring on the children's television series Barney & Friends. She played a leading role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. As a recording artist, she signed with Hollywood Records.
Selena Gomez
True or False? Using positive self talk, and focusing on the good things happening around you can improve your mood and overall mental health if practiced regularly.
True.
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE: Approach a teacher in the room who teaches STEM or Science and share something you appreciate about them.
Jen B or Colt
True or False. Social isolation, a feeling of being invisible and without a strong sense of connection to others within a community, is linked with anxiety, increased reactivity, and depression.
True. The profound and long-term effects and mental health risks of social isolation include anxiety, depression, and harmful thinking about one's self-value. Allies and support are needed.
How do YOU cope with mental stress?
a) physical activity
b) talk about it
c) listen to music
d) read
e) talk to someone
f) other
a variety of answers apply
You regularly feel nervous and on edge. What mental health struggle might you be experiencing?
Anxiety
Which is better for your mental health? a) Getting outside in nature -or- b) sitting in your bedroom for hours bouncing between Snapchat and Tik Tok?
a) Getting outside in nature! Take a nature walk or city hike. It will help lower anxiety and improve your overall mood.
Which Japanese professional tennis player with Haitian-American and Japanese ancestry bravely chose to drop out of the French Open due to wanting to prioritize her mental health?
Naomi Osaka
True or False? Keeping a Gratitude Journal and regularly showing appreciation for people and experiences can improve your mood, relationships, and overall quality of life.
True
Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. (Mayo Clinic)
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE: Approach a teacher in the room who teaches Math and share something you appreciate about them.
Cal, Jen
It is estimated that more than a) 25%, b) 50%, or c) 75% of teens struggle with their mental health
It is estimated that more than 50% of teens struggle with their mental health
You regularly have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly. Could this be one indicator of ADHD or Anxiety?
It is one indication of ADHD and it could also be an indication of Anxiety or both
True or False. Research studies show that anyone involved with bullying - those who bully others, those who are bullied, and those participate by laughing or doing nothing - are all at increased risk for depression.
True
True or False. When you're feeling low, reaching out to some friends and planning a beach day for the weekend, can give you something to look forward to and help you feel supported.
True. A) Surrounding yourself with supportive, healthy people b) being out in nature, and c) having things to look forward to are all good for your mental health.
Which Canadian born singer songwriter spoke candidly about his experiences of being bullied as a teen and the impact that had on his mental health?
Shawn Mendes,
Bullying which led to Anxiety and Depression
Hits: "Stitches," "Mercy" "Treat You Better" and "There's Nothing Holding' Me Back"
"To make someone feel bad about doing what they love… every single person deserves to do what makes them feel alive."
"I'm writing this not only to the 15-year-old kid who's scared to follow their heart because of what people might say, but also to the 50-year-old who may be doing the exact same thing," Mendes explained.
What is better for you physical and mental health? A) Eating a bag of potato chilps followed by a carton of ice cream? or B) Exercising regularly?
B) Exercising regularly
Your body releases stress-relieving and mood boosting endorphins before and after you work out, which is why exercise helps with stress, anxiety, and depression. Across time, it can help change your body's biology for the better.
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE: Approach a teacher in the room who teaches Spanish, PE or Music and share something you appreciate about them.
True or False? When you know someone is struggling, validating their feelings is a way to show support.
True. When we validate others feelings, we humanize them and let the other person know that it's ok.
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that interferes with day to day activities. True or False? Our brain experiences physical changes when circumstances and/or our biology creates feelings of depression.
True. When we are depressed, there is reduced activity in the reward system in the brain, leading to a lack of pleasure from activities we once previously enjoyed. The positive is with support and a change of habits, our brain can restructure itself to increase the release of "feel good hormones:" Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine.
Have you ever noticed that negative events, interactions, and feelings stick with you more than positive ones? What is the terms that describes the reason for this? a) Inner Critic, b) Negativity Bias, c) Positivity Bias
b) Negativity Bias
It's not unusual for teens to occasionally feel "down in the dumps" as a lot is changing with your body and relationships. When you're mood is low is it better to a) skip school and spend your day in your bedroom with the blinds closed, or b) find ways to take care of yourself (bath, shower, exercise, good night's sleep, journal) so you feel mentally prepared to go to school?
b) Find ways to take care of yourself
There is a therapy tool called "Opposite Action" that asks you to recognize and show compassion for your current mood and experience, but then do something "opposite" of what your instinct is telling you to do. Example: you feel low and want to stay in bed and stay home from school. The opposite of that would be to acknowledge you are feeling low but do what you need to do to engage.
An American singer and songwriter who has spoken openly about her anxiety, "it doesn't make you weak to ask for help". She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes", written and produced by her brother Finneas O'Connell, with whom she collaborates on music and live shows. Is it Rhianna, Miss Piggy, or Billie Eilish?
Billie Eillish
Is it better to a) go to sleep and wake up around the same time each day prioritizing between 8-11 hours of sleep, or b) stay up until 2am playing video games and chatting with the last two people left in the group chat?
a) Regular wake/sleep cycle prioritizing 8-11 hours
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE: Approach a teacher in the room who teaches Social Studies or Humanities and share something you appreciate about them.
Lina and/or Brittany
What is it called when our mind over-focuses on the negative events, interactions, feelings, and qualities in ourselves and others?
a) Inner Critic, b) Negativity Bias, c) Positivity Bias
Negativity Bias - when we adopt a negativity bias, it impacts our self worth and worldview. What if we all tried focusing on the positive instead of the negative?
You regularly have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization. Could this be a sign of ADHD?
Yes. True. This could be a sign or ADHD or it could be a sign that you need to learn how to get organized.
In the last few months you notice that you regularly feel sad, hopeless, and irritable. You feel nervous going to school and you're falling behind on your homework. Is this a sign you should a) keep things as they are as you're fine, or b) talk to your parent(s) or another trusted adult about how you are feeling so you can get help.
b) talk to your parent or another trusted adult about how you are feeling so you can get help. These are signs you may be depressed and as a result also anxious. These feelings can improve with lifestyle changes and support.
True or False? "Healthy Highs" include sitting on the couch for hours in a messy room while binging your favorite tv series; regularly drinking Starbucks Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato's; waiting until midnight the night before a project is due.
False! Living a sedentary lifestyle (sitting for long periods of time), on electronic devices for extended hours, and regularly drinking sugary drinks is bad for your physical and mental health. Similar to what we experienced during Covid-19, this can significantly slow/stunt activity of the reward system in the brain that helps us feel good about life.
Which English actor (who achieved international recognition playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) superhero films) opened up publicly about bullying directed at him during his teens? Harry Potter, Tom Holland, or Maggie Smith?
Tom Holland, Anxiety, Depression
Before landing his buzzed-about role as the crime-fighting webslinger in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Holland faced his fair share of adversaries.
Despite now being a Hollywood A-lister, Holland fielded harassment from peers throughout his younger years. "There was times when I was bullied about dancing and stuff," he said.
Is it better to a) express my emotions and experiences and share them with someone I trust, or b) repress my emotions, holding them inside until I feel sick?
It is better to Express my emotions to a trusted person
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE: Approach a teacher in the room who teaches English Language Arts or Art and share something you appreciate about them.
Yaxha or Sarah
True or False. Depression can be mistaken for a bad attitude.
True. Depression can be mistaken for a bad attitude. Someone with depression may not know they have a medical condition due to the self-critical aspect of the disorder. The self-critical mindset can lead to feeling like they are a failure, weak, or a bad person, instead of a person suffering from a mental health condition who needs support.
What is it called when you balance logic mind with emotion mind?
Wise Mind
Using Logic alone can be helpful when solving math equations. However, in healthy human relationships, there is a need to blend both logic (the ability to think clearly and make decisions) with emotion (the ability to consider your own and someone else's feelings) when making decisions.
Anxiety is the consequence of your thoughts perceiving a real or imagined threat. Scenario: You are laying in bed and cannot sleep. You know you are not in danger but your thoughts are racing. Is it better to a) stay in bed and stare at the ceiling and hope your thoughts go away, or, b) get out of bed, go into another room, and write your thoughts into a journal?
b) Get out of bed
Anxiety and sleep researchers agree that it is better to get out of bed, go into another room, and do something that will help you get out of your head and back into your body. At night, a helpful strategy is to journal in a notebook. Avoid grabbing an electronic device!
True or False? Healthy Highs include sticking to a regular routine, getting enough brain stimulation and staying engaged in your school work, getting enough physical activity during the day, and having fun within healthy relationships.
True. "Healthy Highs" help increase "feel good hormones:
Serotonin: Mood, emotion, sleep, appetite
Dopamine: Movement, attention, pleasure
Norepinephrine: Alertness, sleep, attention, mood
The famous quote, "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." was by...
a) Albert Einstein, b) Thomas Edison, c) Katherine Johnson
a) Albert Einstein
Which celebrity has come out as a strong advocate for prioritizing self care including mindfulness, meditation, and quiet reflection?
a) Lindsay Lohan b) Chris Hemsworth, c) Charlie Sheen
Chris Hemsworth
Focusing on your strengths can help get through some of life's challenges. A situation may feel hard, but you can get through it (with help). Either share one of your own personal strengths, or share one personal strength of one of your teachers.
A variety of answers are accepted