1. Promoting Mental Health
Building Resilience in our teenage children

2. What is mental Health?
“A state of wellbeing that allows someone to be productive, have fulfilling relationships, cope with difficult circumstances and adapt to change”
(Mental Health Ireland, 2018)

3. In a nutshell!!!
IT IS HOW WE….
THINK FEEL ACT

4. Key Indicators of Positive mental Health
Good self-esteem
Ability to enjoy life
Healthy relationships with family/friends
Sense of belonging

5. Mental Health – The Sliding Scale!!!

6. Mental Health problems
Mental health problems effect 10% - 20% of children and adolescents worldwide (WHO, 2017)
I in 5 Irish children aged 11-15yrs say they experience 2 or more psychological problems per week (e.g., feeling low, irritable or nervous, sleep disturbance)
(My World National Survey on Youth Mental Health, 2012)

7. Reach Out On-Line Teen Survey -2017

8. Body Image

9. Friendship/ACCEPTANCE

10. School/Exams

11. Relationships & Sexuality

12. Alcohol & Substance Use

13. Social media

14. Advice to Teens Accept Yourself Get Involved Keep Active
Eat healthily & get enough sleep
Keep in contact
Relax
Spend time doing things you enjoy, e.g., hobbies/interests
Don’t binge drink
Talk about problems
Seek help

15. RESILIENCE​ ​

16. Catch Your Thoughts

17. Example: I Failed My Christmas maths Exam
Thought It’s my fault I failed I’m not able to do maths I’m stupid Feeling Disappointed/Guilty Lowers self-esteem
Thought
This is my first time doing an exam
I didn’t really study much
If I work harder I can do better
Feeling
Not so disappointed/more hopeful/realistic
More initiative/drive
More stable self-esteem
Pessimistic
Optimistic

18. Signs of mental Health problems
Physical
Trouble sleeping
Change in appetite
Physical pain, e.g., headache, tummy ache, back ache
Physical signs of anxiety
Emotional/Behavioural
Sadness/feeling down
Feeling Hopeless
Tearful
Lacking Motivation
Sudden changes in behaviour
Problems fitting in
Isolation
A drop in school performance

19. Supports

20. Thank you