Mental Health Trivia

Let's Be Real!... (myth or fact)

100

Mental Health Issues are rare

Myth. Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth between the ages of 13 and 18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness. That's about 20 percent of our population. www.nimh.nih.gov

200

People with mental illnesses will not get better

Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not usually “cured”, it can be effectively managed. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their mental illness.

300

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.

400

If someone in your family has a mental illness, you are more likely to develop one as well.

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.

500

Males attempt suicide more often than females do.

Myth. Females attempt approximately 4 times as often. However, males have a higher rate of death. This is because men tend to use more violent methods.

Would you look at that? (Signs and Symptoms)

100

Name 4 warning signs of mental illness

Withdrawal; Drop in functioning at school, work or social activities; Problems thinking (concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain); Increased sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; Apathy; Feeling disconnected; Illogical thinking; Nervousness (fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling); Unusual behavior; Sleep or appetite changes; Mood changes

200

Name 3 symptoms of Depression

feelings of despair and hopelessness feeling detached from life and those around you continued fatigue or loss of energy feelings of sadness – crying for no apparent reason inability to concentrate or make decisions thoughts of suicide changes in eating or sleeping patterns persistent or recurring headaches or frequent gastrointestinal upsets Losing interest in activities that are enjoyed

300

This disorder is characterized by depression and anxiety as well as flashbacks. It is common among victims of crimes and people in the military.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

400

What event is this describing?..." sweating, nausea, trembling and numbness in the legs or hands, dizziness, hot or cold flashes, a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest, hyperventilation, “jelly” legs or blurred vision can develop. Individuals may even feel like they are going to die of a heart attack" What Event does this describe?

Panic Attack/ Anxiety attack

500

Name 3 signs that a person could be suicidal

direct suicide threats such as “I want to die,” 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/

Treatment

100

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.

200

Name 3 places/people you can talk to if you are having a hard time or think you might have a mental health problem.

A teacher, school staff, school counselor, therapist, mental health professional, counselor, doctor, healthcare provider, faith leader, or a trusted adult or friend. You can also call the Access and Crisis Line at [phone].

300

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 counselling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options.

400

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.

500

Mental health treatment is more effective when people have a support system--people who can help you get through challeneges. List 3 qualities that a positive support person would have.

•Gives good advice when you want; assists you in taking action that will help •Likes, respects, and trusts you and who you like, respect, and trust, too •Allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes •Listens to you and shares with you, both the good and bad times •Respects your need for confidentiality so you can tell him or her anything •Lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing •Works with you to figure out what to do the next time a difficult situation comes up •Has your best interest in mind

Help a brother out

100

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.

200

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 someone. 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.

300

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.

400

Name 3 things you can do to help a friend who thinks they may have a mental health problem.

Listen to them, spend time with them, encourage them to seek help, go with them to appointments/ help them make appointments, show them that you care :), if it is serious tell someone, don't judge, ask someone for advice

500

Name 3 reason why people hesitate to get help

They don't want to "burden anyone else with their problems", it is hard to talk about, it makes them feel vulnerable, fear of being judged, stigma, don't know who to tell, don't think the problem is "serious enough", asking for help is "giving up", no resources available Facts: Your friends and your support system will feel worse if you don't come talk to them if you need help/ need to talk. They are your friends or support for a reason, and they don't want you to feel bad! Don't be afraid to talk about it!

San Diego Resources

100

Name one specific facility you can go to for medical problems.

Family Health Centers of San Diego, La Maestra, Linda Vista Clinic, Planned Parenthood, etc. Hospitals: Sharp, Kaiser, Scripps, etc.

200

What three-digit number can you call to get referrals for all programs and services in San Diego?

2-1-1 You can also call the Access and Crisis Line for referrals.

300

Name one program for teens in San Diego that deals with mental health.

Kickstart, Urban Beats, NAMI, SAY San Diego, San Diego Center for Children, Aurora, Sharp Mesa Vista, Rady's Children's Hospital, local clinics, therapist offices.

400

Name some activities you can do to promote good mental health?

Sports, fitness, being outside, hanging out with friends or family, reading, playing video games, hobbies, listening to music, drawing, etc.

500

What should you do if your friend says that they are thinking about killing themselves.

Call 9-1-1 or PERT team, Access and Crisis Line, tell an adult or parent, talk to them, keep them company if possible, offer them resources. All in all, it is best to refer your friend to a helping professional.