Mental and Emotional Health 1

Goal Setting, Communication, Conflict and Depression (8 th ) “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe 2

Objectives 1. Develop a personal health goal and track its progress toward its achievement. 2. Explain how internal and external influences can be barriers to personal goal attainment. 3. Identify strategies that can be used to attain personal and/or health related goals. 4. Identify barriers to effective communication. 3

Objectives (2) 5. Utilize/model strategies to overcome barriers to effective communication. 6. Recognize the nature of conflict and describe the process of conflict resolution. 7. Identify the warning signs of depression. 8. Explain how the ‘adolescent experience’ can affect mental health. 9. Identify suicide prevention strategies and ways to increase self-esteem. 4

Activator 1. What is one health related part of you that you would like to change? How could you make the change? What are the barriers? 2. List all the barriers to effective communication. Why is it difficult to communicate positively with a person that you dislike? 5

Activator (2) 3. What experiences in your life cause you conflict, or, cause you to struggle with yourself and your decisions/actions? 4. Brainstorm and list all the ‘stresses’ that teens experience everyday. 5. Why is it important to make positive choices and decisions everyday? 6

Goal Setting and Attainment Goal-Setting Process – must address personal strengths, needs and health risks. 1. Write down a specific and realistic goal 2. List the steps needed to reach the goal 3. Identify the obstacles 4. List resources for help and support 5. How can you evaluate your progress? 6. Identify a reward 7

Goal Attainment for Optimal Health What will influence your success? Internal Factors External factors Personal likes and dislikes Desires and ambitions Curiosity Fears Family and culture Media and technology Friends and peers Environment 8

Effective Communication Skills Communicating effectively involves the use of (1)effective speaking and (2)listening skills. Speaking speak clearly Use “I” messages Use tact – a sense of what to do or say to avoid offending others 9

Communication Skills (cntd.) Listening Use body language (non-verbal skills) to show the speaker you are listening Do not interrupt, ask questions at the appropriate time Be empathetic – the ability to identify with and understand somebody else’s feelings 10

Barriers to Effective Communication 1. Mixed messages is when you say one thing but your body language and intonation say another. 2. Peer pressure 3. Individual refusal skills 4. Aggression and passivity 5. Individual and distinct personalities 6. Emotions and impulse 11

Emotions vs. Impulse Emotions-feelings such as love, anger and sadness Impulse-an urge or force that can cause you to act How do emotions influence decisions and behavior? How can you control an unhealthy or negative impulse? 12

13 Conflict and Conflict Resolution A. When it becomes difficult to manage conflict in your life people have a tendency to avoid the situation. Often this avoidance can damage short term and long term relationships. But conflict is part of the human experience. “When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry a hundred.” Thomas Jefferson B. Conflict Resolution is a positive based approach to solving disagreements and conflicts in which the parties involved work together to satisfy all sides.

Conflict Resolution Strategies T.A.L.K. Strategy T. = Take time out A. = Allow each person to tell his or her side of the story L. = Let each person ask questions K. = Keep brainstorming solutions that satisfy both parties until the issue is resolved 14

Signs of Depression in Teens 1. Anger, irritability or anxiety 2. Always tired 3. Cannot concentrate 4. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt 5. Loss of interest in friends or normal activities 6. Physical ailments 7. Thoughts or talking of death and/or suicide 15

Pre-Frontal Cortex The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making and moderating correct social behavior. The activity of this brain region is considered to be associated with thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. 16

Suicide Prevention Strategies and Self-esteem Treating Suicidal Thoughts Increasing Your Self-esteem 1. Individual or family therapy – approaches that teach an individual to changes their thought process 2. Drug treatment therapy 3. Psychologist or psychiatrist 4. Family, counselor, friends 5. Internet research 1. Identify and promote your strengths 2. Accept and learn from mistakes 3. Set goals and motivate yourself 17