Mental Health Basics
This term refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
What is mental health?
This is one of the biggest sources of stress reported by college students.
What are academic demands? (Financial concerns, relationships, and work are also acceptable.)
This healthy habit is often called the foundation of physical and mental wellness.
What is sleep?
Faculty are expected to be this, rather than mental health counselors.
What are supportive educators who make referrals?
This simple habit can improve focus, mood, and energy, yet many educators sacrifice it during busy semesters.
What is getting enough sleep?
This is the difference between everyday stress and a diagnosable mental health condition.
What is that stress is a normal response to challenges, while a mental health condition significantly affects thoughts, emotions, or daily functioning?
This communication skill involves giving your full attention without interrupting or immediately offering solutions.
What is active listening?
Name one evidence-based strategy for reducing stress.
What is exercise, mindfulness, deep breathing, time management, meditation, or talking with someone you trust?
This phrase is an example of supportive language:
What is "How are you doing?"
Setting limits on work hours, emails, and availability is an example of this healthy practice.
What are healthy boundaries?
True or False: Mental health affects only a person's emotions.
What is False? (It also affects thinking, behavior, physical health, relationships, and academic/work performance.)
If a student tells you they're overwhelmed, this is the best first response.
What is listen with empathy, validate their feelings, and connect them with appropriate campus resources?
This practice means recognizing your limits and protecting your time and energy.
What is setting healthy boundaries?
Name one thing faculty should avoid saying to a struggling student.
What is "Just get over it," "Everyone feels that way," "It's not that bad," or any statement that minimizes their experience?
Name one sign that an instructor or staff member may be experiencing burnout.
What is feeling emotionally exhausted, becoming cynical or detached, losing motivation, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, or feeling ineffective at work?
Name two common signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health.
What are changes in mood, withdrawal from others, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, irritability, loss of interest, or declining performance?
Name two warning signs that may indicate a student needs additional support.
What are missing class, sudden drop in grades, withdrawal from peers, emotional outbursts, hopeless statements, or significant behavioral changes?
True or False: Self-care is selfish.
What is False?
When referring a student to support services, faculty should do this first.
What is listen, express concern, and explain available campus resources?
True or False: Taking breaks, using vacation time, and seeking support when needed can improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout.
What is True?
Approximately one in how many U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year?
What is about 1 in 5 adults?
Faculty should act immediately if a student expresses this.
What is thoughts of suicide or harming themselves or others?
Name three dimensions of wellness.
What are physical, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, environmental, or financial wellness?
Name three practices that contribute to a mentally healthy learning environment.
What are inclusive teaching practices, timely feedback, flexibility when appropriate, respectful communication, promoting campus resources, encouraging peer support, or modeling healthy work-life balance?
Name three healthy ways instructors and staff can recharge outside of work.
What are exercising, spending time with family or friends, engaging in hobbies, practicing mindfulness or meditation, spending time outdoors, getting adequate sleep, limiting work after hours, volunteering, journaling, or speaking with a counselor or Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?