Psychology Mental Health and Wellbeing

Sasha, a university student who also works part-time in a cafe, is placed at ‘X’ on the mental health continuum based on her mental health status.

Mental Health ----------X------------------------------Mental Illness

• Sasha needs a driver’s licence to travel to university but she keeps failing her licence test. This is really frustrating her but she continues to take driving lessons and books another test.

• Sasha has been experiencing a consistently low mood, she is not engaged in her course and has not attended lectures for the past few months.

• Sasha deferred her course because she could not manage both work and study. This has resulted in sleeping problems for the last few weeks.

• Sasha is coping with the workload at university and is happy to have met someone she is interested in, but she is stressed about her decision to transfer to another course next year

Which of the following best describes the mental health continuum?

• A classification system which diagnoses mental health disorders.

• A categorical approach used to classify mental illnesses.

• A tool which permanently assigns an individual as mentally healthy, having mental problems or having a mental disorder.

• A tool which tracks the progression of fluctuations in mental health.

An individual experiencing a mental health problem is most likely to be

• physically unwell.

• experiencing a greater amount of external than internal factors which contribute to mental health

• in a mentally unhealthy state for the rest of their life.

• displaying a lesser ability to function independently compared to those who are mentally healthy.

Explain the difference between internal and external factors that influence mental health, giving an example for each.

Rohan has always been an extremely confident and outgoing guy who loves to spend time with his family and friends. However, when his uncle died two weeks ago, he began to spend more time in his room, refusing to see his friends or family anymore. Rohan used to go on skiing trips with his uncle during the winter, but he now refuses to even look at skis. He has also been finding it hard to sleep, sometimes only managing to sleep 3 hours a night.

The death of Rohan’s uncle is an example of a/an

• internal factor.

• external factor.

• catastrophe.

• daily hassle.

A mentally healthy person can display social wellbeing by

• effectively achieving tasks.

• being able to move on from challenges.

• strengthening connections with others through strong communication.

• expressing a sense of positivity.

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of an individual displaying resilience?

• Enjoys seeing family and friends, feels hopeless when they cannot cope with stress and has a high level of confidence.

• Can return to the functioning state that occurred before the presence of a stressor, has high self-esteem and adapts to many types of stressors.

• Experiences lower levels of stress, is respectful of others and cannot cope with the stressors they regularly face.

• Low level of self-esteem, can perform daily tasks and avoid stressors.

The ability to be independent and effectively meet everyday demands within the environment is known as

• high levels of functioning.

• being a grown up.

• resilience.

• confidence.

After losing his job, Tom missed his work colleagues as well as his daily bike ride to work. He found it difficult to financially cope and had to move back in with his parents. Despite these challenges, he still maintained respectful relationships with his friends and family and kept in touch with his work colleagues. Two of his friends helped him move house and his mum encouraged him to start applying for new jobs. Tom would be considered mentally healthy due to

• missing his bike rides

• finding it hard when losing his job.

• having weak emotional wellbeing

• displaying strong social wellbeing.

What of the following does NOT help develop resilience?

• Having a positive attitude

• Having a supportive family

• Helping others

• Crying

Which of the following does not develop resilience?

• Look after yourself

• Talk to someone

• Do nothing and remain silent

• Work towards your goals