Mental Health Basics
Everyone has mental and emotional health just like they have ______ health.
Physical
Sharing a plan to hurt yourself or others must be ______.
Reported
Feeling nervous before a test is usually an example of ______ stress.
Short-term stress
A stressor is ______.
The situation or demand that triggers stress
Name one common safety risk on social media.
Cyberbullying, strangers, oversharing, pressure, comparison
Name two everyday habits that support both physical AND mental health.
Sleep, nutrition, movement/exercise, hydration, hygiene, friendships, breaks
Name one behavior that helps people feel safe talking about sensitive topics
Listening, not judging, respecting privacy, not laughing, allowing people to pass
What three factors help us decide if someone may need extra support?
Context, intensity, duration
If everyday mental health care isn’t enough, what should someone do?
Seek extra support from a trusted adult or professional
Does what someone posts online always show the full story of their life?
NO. You don't know what they are personally going through.
Needing extra support for mental health means someone has _______.
Not failed / Their health needs more care at that moment
What might happen to learning if students feel judged or unsafe?
They may shut down, stop participating, avoid sharing, not learn
If someone feels overwhelmed most days for several weeks, this might suggest ______.
Extra support may be needed
True or false: Stress is a normal thing for everyone.
True
Why might comparing yourself to others online be unhealthy?
People post highlights, not struggles
Give one example of “everyday care” for mental health.
Talking to friends, taking breaks, sleep, hobbies, journaling, movement
How could one student laughing or making a negative comment affect the entire class’s emotional safety?
It could make others feel judged or embarrassed, cause students to shut down, stop participating, or avoid sharing. It breaks trust and makes the classroom feel unsafe for sensitive discussions.
Why can two people react differently to the same situation?
Different experiences, environment, personality, context
Name two ways stress can interfere with daily life.
Sleep problems, focus issues, relationship problems, eating changes, mood changes
Give one rule that would make social media safer for kids your age.
Don’t share personal info, think before posting, report bullying, limit screen time
Give one example of “extra support” for mental health.
Trusted adult, counselor, teacher, therapist, professional help
A student shares a general example about feeling stressed, and another student immediately gives advice like, “That’s not a big deal, just get over it.”
How could this response affect emotional safety, and what would be a better alternative?
That response minimizes the person’s feelings and may make them feel judged or dismissed. It could cause them (and others) to stop participating.
A better alternative would be listening without judgment, saying something like, “That sounds stressful,” or asking a respectful question.
Why shouldn’t we judge someone’s emotions based only on what we see?
We don’t know their context, experiences, or how intense it feels for them
True or False: Stress means someone is weak.
False
A student spends hours scrolling through social media every night and starts feeling more anxious, distracted in class, and tired during the day.
Using what we learned about stress and mental health, explain what might be happening and what kind of support could help.
The student may be experiencing overwhelming stress or negative emotional effects from comparison, lack of sleep, or constant stimulation. The behavior is interfering with daily life (focus and sleep), which suggests extra support might be helpful. Possible supports could include setting screen limits, talking to a trusted adult, taking breaks from social media, improving sleep habits, or seeking guidance from a counselor if it continues.