3. Positively influences physical and social health Gives confidence, flexibility, coping abilities Characteristics of good mental health: Characteristics of good mental health: 1. Sense of belonging 2. Sense of purpose 3. Positive outlook 4. Self-sufficiency 5. Healthy self-esteem

4. Emotions: signals that tell your body and mind how to react Hormones during puberty and adolescence can intensify emotions Common emotions: happiness, sadness, love, fear, guilt, anger

5. Empathy: ability to imagine and understand how someone else feels Breathing techniques Muscle relaxation Removing self from situation Journals Talking to someone you trust Channel energy into something productive

6. Stress is the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands. A stressor is anything that causes stress. Common stressors for teens: Life situations Environmental Biological Cognitive (thinking) Personal Behavior

7. Refusal skills (say “NO” if you have to ) Plan ahead Think positively Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs Relaxation techniques Redirect energy Seek support Rest Regular exercise Nutrition

8. Mental disorder: an illness of the mind that can affect the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person, preventing him or her from leading happy, healthful, and productive life Stigma: mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected by others

9. What is going on with me? I know I’m really stressed with things but I don’t seem to want to do anything or be with anybody. I love my family but I just want them to leave me alone. I want everybody to leave me alone. I have too much to do and not enough time or energy to do them. I feel like everything is spinning out of control and I’m usually a level- headed person. A few months ago at the most stressful time, I got a strange rash all over that wouldn’t go away. My doctor told me I need to stop eating so much acidic food. Then I got sick. I lost my voice, had flu-like symptoms and was miserable. It took over a week to get better but I still wasn’t better. I was tired of being tired. I was tired of my life. I was stressed with the stress. One night I got so bad that I told my family I wanted to leave them. I didn’t care where I went. They are such a loving family that didn’t do anything wrong. Why would I want to leave them? Why would I want to hurt them like that? I didn’t. But I didn’t know what was happening to me. I felt enraged at nothing and everything at the same time. I couldn’t control it. I wanted to sob one second and scream the next. That is when we knew I needed help.

10. -How old do you think the writer is? -Male or female? -What was he/she diagnosed with? -What do you think can be done treatment-wise? -Do you think there is anything wrong with this person? -Do you know of anyone who has acted this way? -Have you ever felt this way?

11. Anxiety: condition in which real or imagined fears are difficult to control (OCD, post-traumatic stress, panic attacks, phobias) Impulse control: cannot resist the urge to hurt themselves or others (physical harm, gambling, cutting, pyromania, kleptomania, compulsive shopping) Eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binging Mood disorders: illness that involves mood extremes that interfere with everyday living (depression, bipolar)

12. Conduct disorder: patterns of behavior in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated (stealing, cruelty, lying, aggression, violence, arson, vandalism) Psychotic disorder: distorted awareness and thinking (Schizophrenia)

13. Seek help if you experience the following: Feeling trapped or worried ALL the time Feelings that affect sleep, eating habits, schoolwork, job performance, or relationships Becoming involved with alcohol or other drugs Becoming increasingly violent, aggressive, or reckless WHO DO I TALK TO?? Parent, sibling, teacher, coach, guidance counselor, pastor, hotline, doctor, friend’s parent

14. Anxiety Disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD) Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) Borderline Personality Disorder Depression Eating Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Panic Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Schizophrenia Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) Suicide Prevention

15. www.mentalhelp.net www.mentalhealth.com www.nimh.nih.gov www.webmd.com www.nmha.org www.who.int/topics/mental_health/en/