1. PDCP – Leo Hayes High School

2. What is mental health? Stopping the Stigma Mental health and mental illness Specific mental illnesses Experience Finding Support/Positive Mental Health

3. Students will get in groups of four Within their groups they will receive a piece of chart paper and markers Groups will make a concept map of what they think mental health is. Once everyone is done, groups will briefly present their ideas to the rest of the class

4. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

5. Was once defined as showing no signs or symptoms of mental illness. This has changed. The following characteristics are now considered when assessing mental health: Ability to Enjoy Life Resilience Balance Self-Actualization Flexibility Mental Health

6. Mental illnesses are disorders of brain function. They have many causes and result from complex interactions between a person’s genes and their environment. Having a mental illness is not a choice or moral failing. Mental illnesses occur at similar rates around the world, in every culture and in all socio economic groups. The statistics are staggering, 1 in 5 young people suffer from a mental illness, that’s 20 percent of our population but yet only about 4 percent of the total health care budget is spent on our mental health.

7. We all have it! Mental health is like our physical health, we have to exercise to stay fit. A positive sense of well being is something that everyone should try to achieve.

8. Is a term used to describe a number of different psychiatric problem. Can affect emotional, cognitive, or behavioral functions. Ex. how a person feels, thinks or acts. Mental illness can vary in duration and intensity and can come and go from a person’s life over time. Must be diagnosed by a doctor Can be treated through therapy and medication

9. Mental illnesses are characterized by changes in thinking, mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. Examples of specific mental illnesses include: Mood disorders: major depression and bipolar disorder Schizophrenia Anxiety disorders Personality disorders Eating disorders Problem gambling Substance dependency

10. Mental illness arises from a complex interaction of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors. Mental illnesses affect people of all ages, education levels, income levels and cultures. Specific risk factors include: family history of mental illness, age, gender, substance abuse, chronic diseases, family, workplace, life event stresses.

11. …are not the same as mental illness. (Distress vs. Disorder) …are short term and typically not recurring. …refer to the more common struggles that people face in their day to day lives. …are associated with life events such as break ups, death of a loved one, stress, etc.

12. The brain is responsible for many different functions in the body: Thinking Sensing Feeling Signaling Physical Functions (Bodily Systems) Behavioral Functions (Listening, talking, etc) o All of these systems are connected to one another through the brain.

13. Smarter Everyday Video on Brain Development Smarter Everyday

14. The brain can get sick because: o Damage can occur through the use of drugs, poison, head injury, or environmental stress. o Infection such as meningitis (high fevers) o Genetic history or heredity o If the brain is not working properly one of the six previous functions are being interrupted or disturbed.

15. Read the handout titled “Anxiety – Rachel’s Story. In your notebook make a list of factors that indicate what Rachel was experiencing was a Mental Illness and not just a Mental Health Problem. Look for and list specific evidence from the reading. Be prepared to share with the class.