Understanding Mental Health: Break the Stigma Together

1. Section Title Mental Health Lesson

3. All of us have mental health and, like our bodies, our minds can become unwell. 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem. These include depression, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, psychosis or bipolar disorder. It’s important to talk about mental health and get help early if things don’t feel right, just like we would for our physical health. Mental Health

4. Time to Change is a nationwide movement to get people talking about mental health. No one should feel ashamed about having a mental health problem, they wouldn’t if they had a broken leg. Today we’re going to learn a bit more about mental health and challenge some of the common myths Time to Change

5. Put your hands up if.. What is mental health?

6. Definition of mental health "The capacity to live a full, productive life as well as the flexibility to deal with its ups and downs. In children and young people it is especially about the capacity to learn, enjoy friendships, to meet challenges, to develop talents and capabilities.” Source: Young Minds 1999

7. Good wellbeing Mental Wellbeing The mental health continuum I have a mental health diagnosis but I am coping well and enjoying my life I have no diagnosis. I am well and enjoying my life I have a mental health diagnosis but I am not coping and I am not happy I have no diagnosis, but I am not coping and I am not happy Poor wellbeing

8. 8 Ways to Wellbeing Section Title Talkingbeing open with people I trust about how I’m feeling. Exercisinglooking after my body, playing sport, eating healthy. Calmingtrying meditation, good sleep habits like turning my phone off early. Learninga new skill, a great way to gain confidence. Relatingspending time with the people I care about. Contributinghelping others or contributing to causes I believe in. Creatingexpressing myself creatively e.g. music, art, drama, writing. Congratulatingbeing kind to myself, or listing the qualities I value in myself.

9. Your Way to Wellbeing Section Title

10. What people said “With so many new opportunities, I can now say with complete honesty that I am excited for my future – a future where people will always stare and ask, “what happened to your arms?”, but a future where I can tell them, with a smile, that I beat my demons.” Ashton “Because young people should be able to talk about mental health more openly. I feel very strongly that mental health problems can happen to anyone no matter how intelligent or from what background you are. I am a very sociable person with lots of friends and I don’t think people would have expected it to happen to me.” Louise “I am also working to improve my diet and cycle more to fight the big ‘black dog’.” James “It’s the little things that count. If you ever are struggling with what to say/do when a friend opens up to you about their mental health, please don’t shut them out. Patience and an open mind are the only requirements necessary to be supportive. You don’t need to be an expert on the subject to be an effective listener.” Emily

11. Section Title Thank You