Let's Be Real!... (myth or fact)
This disorder is characterized by depression and anxiety as well as flashbacks. It is common among people who have experienced a traumatic event.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
True or false- Medication is the only treatment method that works for mental health problems.
False. Medication can be helpful, and is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the issue, but other methods such as therapy and counseling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options.
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 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.
How are Julie and Scott related?
Getting enough sleep and eating a well balanced diet are important tools in taking of yourself if you have a diagnosed mental health issue.
Fact. In order to have a chance of being happy and healthy, your body MUST get sleep and proper nourishment. While there are lots of different ways to get support such as medication or talk therapy, these are some proactive ways that YOU can take some steps to help yourself to feel better.
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.
1. Listen to them
2. Spend time with them
3. Encourage them to seek help from a professional, help them make appointments, if you have to.
4. If it is serious tell someone, don't judge, ask someone for advice
What is Tom's favorite football team?
The Packers
Anxiety can be beneficial for people.
Fact. Anxiety developed in cave men to protect them from danger. In today's world, you can harness your anxiety to help you feel more motivated to study for a test, practice for a sports event, push yourself out of your comfort zone or even protect yourself from a dangerous situation.
Name 3 signs that a person could be suicidal and what to do if you think your friend is contemplating suicide
Direct suicide threats such as “I am going to kill myself,” or indirect threats such as “You would be better off without me”/ personality changes or withdrawn behavior/ hoarding medication/ giving away prized possessions/ lack of interest in future plans/ isolation from friends and colleagues/ depression might be signs that someone you know is contemplating suicide.
What to do next??
If you think your friend is contemplating suicide, you should ALWAYS tell an adult immediately.
988--What can you use this number for?
What is the suicide and crisis lifeline?
Name 3 reason why people hesitate to get help
1.They don't want to "burden anyone else with their problems"
2. It is hard to talk about
3. It makes them feel vulnerable
4. Fear of being judged
5. Don't know who to tell, don't think the problem is "serious enough"
6. Asking for help is "giving up"
How long is Spring Break at Solebury?
What is 2.5 weeks? (Basically most of March)
Name 2 differences between clinical depression and depressive thoughts (sadness)
1. Clinical depression is persistent sadness most of the day, nearly every day. The CONSISTENT inability to find pleasure in anything for a minimum of 2 weeks.
2. Depressive thoughts come and go with some relief in between. Person is able to enjoy parts of their lives.
3. Clinical depression has been actually diagnosed by a Psychiatrist, not your friend, Google, TikTok or Buzzfeed quiz.
4. There has been a situation in your life where an appropriate response is some sadness.
Name 3 places/people you can go to on-campus to talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.
1. Brian and/or Julie
2. Your advisor
3. Your dorm parent
4. Your teacher
5. A dean
6. Any trusted adult
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. If you are concerned for their safety, tell a trusted adult. 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 about attempting suicide, do not be afraid to call 911.
The lower and upper wings behind the barn used to have an entirely different purpose. What was it used for?
Mental Health Issues are rare
Myth. Many adolescents experience positive mental health, but an estimated 49.5 percent of adolescents has had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. The good news is that promoting positive mental health can prevent some problems.
It is a normal part of development for teens to experience a wide range of emotions. It is typical, for instance, for teens to feel anxious about school or friendships, or to experience a period of depression following the death of a close friend or family member. However, mental health disorders are characterized by persistent symptoms that affect how a young person feels, thinks, and acts.
If you experience anxiety, do you have an Anxiety Disorder?
What is NO? Anxiety is normal for everyone to feel at some points. It actually can be used as a motivator to be productive or get better at something.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Job performance, school work and personal relationships can be affected. In general, for a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the fear or anxiety must:
True or False- admitting that something is wrong is admitting that you are weak.
What is 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.
There is a grave on the campus at Solebury School. Where can I find it?
What is near the entrance to the woods on the soccer field.