Let's Be Real!...(myth or fact)
Mental Health Issues are rare
Myth. 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year. 57,000 Marylanders age 12–17 have depression.
This King repeatedly writes in Psalms about his anguish, loneliness, fear of his enemies, his heart cry over sin, and the guilt he struggled with because of it.
King David
True or False- admitting that something is wrong is giving up on yourself.
FALSE. Admitting you are having problems is often very hard to do, and asking for help is a sign of strength and willingness to work through what you are experiencing.
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.
After listening to what your friend is experiencing, you know how to pray for your friend.
GO!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
People with mental illnesses will not get better
Myth.
This prophet was discouraged, weary and afraid when he had to flee for his life from Jezebel. He sat in the desert and prayed, defeated and worn. He asked that God take his life because he is not better than his ancestors
Elijah
Name 3 places/people you can go to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
Parents/Family, Bishop/Pastor, Counselling/Therapist, a Friend, School Social Worker
True of 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. 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 have a friend contemplating suicide, do not be afraid to call 911, the suicide hotline, and notify an adult immediately.
You have 1 minute to find and recite John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Mental disorders are a consequence of bad parenting or personal weakness.
Myth. The main risk factors for mental illness are not bad parenting or personal weakness but rather genetics, severe and prolonged stress (such as physical or sexual abuse), or other environmental influences, and brain chemistry.
This man, after being called to go to Nineveh fled as far away as he could. After the storm and all that happened, he preached God's message to the people who turned to Him. However, instead of rejoicing, he got mad and asked that God take his life because it was better that he died than lived
Jonah
True/ False- If you find the right words to say and spend enough time with them, you can cause your friend to get better when they are experiencing a mental health issue.
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 always 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.
You have 1 minute to recite 2 Timothy 1:7. Go!
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
If someone in your family has a mental illness, it is possible that you can develop it.
Fact. Although you will not necessarily develop any kind of mental illness, if someone in your family has a mental disorder you will be at higher risk. So, if you start to experience the symptoms of a mental disorder it will be important for you to see a health provider as soon as possible to determine if you have a problem that will require treatment.
This bible character suffered great loss, devastation and physical illness. He lost everything he had, including his family, health, and wealth. Several times he asked questions like 'Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?", "I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil."
Job
True of 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 counselor.
False. Counselors are there to listen to whatever is troubling you, and you can open up to them at a pace that you are comfortable with. Tip: if you feel like you might get nervous and freeze up, it often helps to write things down before your appointment. 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 problem.
Listen to them, encourage them to seek help, go with them to social worker's office, show them that you care, if it is serious tell someone, don't judge, ask someone for advice
You have 1 minute to recite Romans 12:2. Go!
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Being a Christian means that you will never need to worry about your mental health.
Myth.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was deeply anguished over what was to come, He knew what He was about to suffer to fulfill prophecy of Him being a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. In the garden, through the night he prayed alone and said to His disciples "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch". He even was in so great and anguish that his sweat became blood. He asked and the cup be passed away from him
Jesus
True/ False: I should pay as much attention to my mental health as I do my physical health
True
Name 3 reason why people hesitate to get help
Answers will vary
You have 1 minute to recite Philippians 2:5. Go!
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.