Mental Health - Day 1 (7th Grade)

Have you been sick in the last 12 months?

• YES - I have been sick 😵

• NO - I have NOT been sick 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♂️

How did you know you were sick?

(If you were not sick, think about someone you know... how could you THAT PERSON was sick?)

Approximately, how long were you (or the other person) sick for?

Being "HEALTHY" involves:

• Having a body that feels good and works well

• Having a healthy mind and body

• Not being sick

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Being "HEALTHY" includes three different elements:

- Physical Health

- Social Health

- MENTAL HEALTH

This week, we will focus on the Mental Health component.

Mental illness can occur only after a person has reached adulthood...

• True

• False

Answer explanation

All kinds of people, from all walks of life, can experience mental illness... including children.

Having a mental illness can affect the way that a person

• Behaves

• Thinks

• Feels

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Some people feel depressed or anxious, some have scrambled thoughts and have a hard time thinking clearly, and others act out or are afraid to act at all.

There are different kinds of mental illnesses and in subsequent lessons we will be learning more about them.

If a person who is physically sick goes to see a medical doctor, a person who has a mental health problem sees a ________________?

Answer explanation

Someone might see a mental health professional, counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker.

Someone may even initially see their family doctor who may help with a referral to a mental health professional.

What causes mental illness?

• Diet

• Catching it from someone else

• Being Violent

• No one knows

Answer explanation

Researchers generally think mental illness results from a mix of what's going on in your body and what's happening around you.

Some people may have a certain predisposition or tendency for a certain illness, yet also need to have certain things happening in their environment for the illness to develop.

A more sensitive way to talk about mental illness would be to call it __________

• Mental Health Challenge

• Mental Wellness

• Mental Malfunction

• Disordered Mentality

Answer explanation

For many people, mental illness is a part of life. It is a challenge. Some do refer to a mental illness as a mental disorder, but "disordered mentality" is not a correct answer.

What does the term "diagnosis" mean?

• To have a feeling that you know what is wrong

• To meet with your medical doctor who gives you a prescription for medication

• To meet with a mental health professional and he or she gives what you are experiencing a name

• To be told you have a mental illness

• All of the above

Answer explanation

A mental health professional will be able to tell if someone has a mental illness based on the person's feelings, how often the person has them, and how they affect the person's life.

If, based on these factors, a mental health professional believes a person has a mental illness, he or she will give what the person is experiencing a name, such as depression or anxiety, and this is called a diagnosis.