Myths & Facts
Mental health struggles are rare.
Myth. Approximately 1/5 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24 report a mental disorder, substance abuse or learning disability. Between 15 and 20 percent of the Canadian adolescent population suffers from a mental disorder at one time or another.
True or False- asking for help is a sign of weakness.
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.
If a friend comes to talk to you and you don't have any advice to give them, is that helpful?
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 and you can't expect to have all the answers. Sometimes just listening is all they need.
This class of disorders could be characterized by a sudden change in weight, preoccupation with food and eating, and focus on the body.
Eating disorders. There are many types of ED, and these can include weight loss or gain.
Name 2 coping strategies you could use when feeling stressed or upset.
Talking to friends/family; distracting yourself with games/movie/books; journaling; spending time with a pet; going for a walk; exercise; making a nice meal; taking a break from your phone/social media; cleaning your space; making a to-do list; taking a bath/shower; listening to music; learning about something interesting; practicing time management
Mental illnesses do not get better.
Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not always “cured”, it can be effectively managed. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their mental illness. Many disorders only last for a specific period of time.
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. Other methods such as therapy and counselling can also be very helpful. Talk to a doctor about all of your different options.
True or 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 someone for help.
Name 3 possible 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
Give an example of how you could start a conversation with a friend you are concerned about.
"Hey, I've noticed.... and I'm wondering if you wanted to talk about it"; "I'm concerned about you because..."; "Do you want to talk about what is bothering you?"; "Is there anything I can do to help?"; "You seem to be distant lately. Is there something going on?";
Mental health disorders are due to personal weakness or bad parenting.
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.
Name 3 places/people you can talk to if you are having a hard time, or think you might have a mental health problem.
Student Services, personal counselling outside school, Ms. Lacaria, Katie, friends, family, any teacher or administrator you trust, your doctor or NP, Kids Help Phone
True or False- If you find the right words to say and spend enough time with them, you can make your friend 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.
One possible cause of depression is an imbalance in _____ . (Hint: something in the brain)
Chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).
Name 2 positive stressors in your life.
Meeting or engaging in a challenge; coming in first place in a race or competition; getting a promotion at your job; love or relationships; riding a roller coaster; the holiday season; engaging in exercise, especially weight training or high intensity exercise
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.
True or 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 counsellor.
False. Counsellors 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; 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 privately;
This event is sometimes described as "feeling like you could die from a heart attack".
Panic attack/anxiety attack. 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 also develop.
Name one of the changes in the body during the Fight, Flight, Freeze response.
Heart rate increases; blood thickens; senses sharpen; heavier breathing/hyperventilation; adrenaline kicks in; reduced pain responses; digestion slows/stops
Men attempt suicide more often than women do.
Myth. Women attempt approximately 4 times as often. However, men have a higher rate of death. This is because men tend to use more violent methods. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also at elevated risk for attempts and deaths.
If you were to text HOME to 686868, what would you connect with?
How to access the Crisis Text Line, run by Kids Help Phone and available 24/7
Name 3 reasons why people might 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, their family/parents have negative opinions about mental health.
Name 3 signs that a person could be suicidal or experiencing thoughts of suicide.
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; making amends or saying goodbye;
This form of therapy helps a person learn how to recognize negative patterns of thought, and replace them with healthier ways of thinking.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT