MENTAL AND
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH
• Emotional Health : a dimension of health that involves
your emotions, mood, outlook on life and beliefs about
yourself
• Intellectual Health: a dimension of health that involves
your ability to think clearly and critically, learn, and solve
problems.
• Physical health: a dimension of health the involves your
body, including physical fitness and the ability to cope
with everyday physical tasks.
• Social health: a dimension of health that involves your
communication skills, relationships, and ability to interact
with others.
• Your emotional and intellectual heath impacts the
other dimensions of your health.
• Learning how to recognize and manage your
emotions, including your reactions to stress, will help
you improve your health and wellness.
• Mental illnesses and disorders are like physical illness
and disorders – they can be diagnosed and treated,
often successfully.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IQ
ANSWER TRUE FALSE OR IT DEPENDS
• People with good mental and emotional health spend time developing and
maintaining close relationships.
• TRUE
• People with good mental and emotional health never experience
disappointments or failures.
• FALSE: Even people with good mental health experience negative events
and failures. They view these situations, however, as learning experiences
rather than proof of their own weakness.
• Many teenagers regularly experience mood swings.
• TRUE
• Many teenagers have a distinct identity and clear sense of who they are.
• IT DEPENDS: Some teenagers may have a clear sense of who they are, but
most teenagers are still going through the process.
• Once people establish their identity, it remains set for their lifetime.
• FALSE: A person’s identity grows and changes as he or she matures and
develops new interests over time.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IQ
ANSWER TRUE FALSE OR IT DEPENDS
• If you are experiencing unpleasant emotions, it is best to distract yourself
and not think about what is causing them.
• IT DEPENDS: While it can be helpful to distract yourself from upsetting
situations, you also need to acknowledge the emotions you are
experiencing and understand what is causing them.
• Have fun is an important part of maintaining good mental and emotional
health.
• TRUE
• People with high self-esteem are often boastful and conceited.
• FALSE: People who have good self-esteem feel good about themselves, so
they are not worried about boasting or being conceited.
MAKING SENSE OF YOUR EMOTIONS
• Emotions are the
moods or feelings you
experience
• Figuring out which
emotions you feel and
why can be difficult
• Both pleasant and
unpleasant emotions
are part of daily life
MANAGING EMOTIONS
• First, identify the emotions
you are feeling
• Second, try to
acknowledge and accept
the emotions
• Third, express your
emotions
• Finally, find a way to make
yourself feel better
DEVELOP RESILENCE AND COPING SKILLS
DEVELOP RESILENCE AND COPING SKILLS
OPTIMISM – the ability to keep a positive
outlook.
RESILENCE – the ability to recover from
traumatic or stressful events.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
• People with high emotional intelligence can
identify the emotions they are feeling and
understand the emotions of others.
• They have high levels of empathy
• Empathy – the ability to imagine yourself in
someone else’s place, and to understand someone
else’s wants, needs, and point of view.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE HIGH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
EXHIBIT OTHER CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING:
• Self – Awareness – they understand their emotions
and how those emotions impact people around them.
They also feel comfortable relying on their intuition,
and have a good sense of their own strength and
weaknesses.
• Self-regulation – they can control their feelings and
impulses and act with careful deliberation and
integrity.
• Motivation – they are willing to work on challenging
tasks and are highly productive.
• Social skills – they work well with other people, help
build and maintain relationships, and resolve conflicts
in constructive ways.
WHO ARE YOU? COLLAGE
CONSTRUCT A “WHO ARE YOU?” COLLAGE. COMPLETELY COVER THE FRONT OF
THE CARD STOCK WITH PICTURES, WORDS, AND QUOTES THAT DESCRIBE
WHO YOU ARE. ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR COLLAGE, ANSWER THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON THE BACK OF YOUR PAPER IN AS MUCH DETAIL
AS POSSIBLE.
PAST
• Which people have had the
biggest effect on your life?
• What meaningful places
have you visited?
• What past experiences have
had an effect on your life?
PRESENT
• What do you think of
yourself at this very
moment?
• What activities do you
enjoy?
• What makes you happy?
• What interests you?
FUTURE
• What do you want to
do in your life?
• What are your goals
and dreams?
• What profession
would you choose if
you had no
limitations, hurdles,
or barriers to stand
in your way?
FORMING AN IDENTITY
• Your identity (who you are) includes
– Physical identity: gender, race, age, and physical
characteristics, such as height, weight, and hair color.
– Active identity: engagement in particular activities and
interests, such as sports, music, and community service
– Social identity: connection to other people including family
members, friends, and group members
– Psychological identity: internal thoughts and feelings
• People often focus on different parts of their
identities at different ages
GENDER IDENTITY
• Gender identity – a person’s biological makeup (male
or female ) and how a person experiences or expresses
that makeup.
• Young children learn gender roles by three years of age
• Gender role – attitudes and behaviors that a society
considers “appropriate” for males or females.
• Gender identity is influenced in part by a person’s culture.
GENDER IDENTITY
• Society typically associates certain traits with femininity
(being female) and masculinity (being male). Societal
perceptions of feminine and masculine traits, however, are
unrealistic. This is because women may have some
masculine traits and men may have some feminine traits.
• Androgynous – a term that describes a person who
exhibits feminine and masculine traits equally
• Gender Stereotypes – culturally defined assumptions
about what it means to be male or female
• Believing that only girls should play with dolls or only boys
should play with trucks is gender stereotyping.
ETHNIC IDENTITY
• Ethnicity is a person’s
connection to a social
group that shares similar
cultural or national ties
• People may define their
ethnicity through
–
–
–
–
Traditions
Language
Religious practices
Cultural values
EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGES
• Many teenagers experience changes in their
emotions and social relationships
– Having more interest in dating
– Showing more independence from parents
– Spending more time with friends and less time
with family
– Feeling more intense emotions, including
sadness and depression
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
• Adolescents show changes in
how they think about moral
decisions
• By the time they reach high
school, teenagers have
typically formed their own
moral code
• They can use this code to
decide how to act in situations
UNDERSTANDING SELF-ESTEEM
• Your self-image is your
mental picture of yourself
– Your appearance
– Your skills and abilities
– Your weaknesses
• Your self-image forms
gradually over time
• It is influenced by your life
experiences
UNDERSTANDING SELF-ESTEEM
• Self-esteem describes
how you feel about
yourself
• People who like
themselves have high
self-esteem
• People who have low
self-esteem doubt their
own self-worth
WHY SELF-ESTEEM MATTERS
• Your self-esteem has a
major impact on different
aspects of your life
– How well you do in
school
– How easily you make
friends
– How you manage
disappointments and
frustrations
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SELF-ESTEEM
• Many factors can affect
self-esteem
– Social interactions
– Home, school, and
cultural environments
– Life events
– Media (television,
books, and movies)
– Body image
– Personal perceptions
SELF ACTUALIZATION
• Self-actualization is the
feeling that you are
becoming the best person
you can be
• According to psychologist
Abraham Maslow, selfactualization occurs only
after you meet your basic
needs
WHAT IS STRESS?
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IQ
ANSWER TRUE FALSE OR IT DEPENDS
• Only negative events cause stress, not positive events.
• FALSE: Although stress is often associated with negative events, positive
events can also cause stress.
• Your heart rate reacts to stress by slowing down to save energy.
• FALSE: When you are stressed, your heart rate increases to deliver oxygen
and energy more quickly to various parts of your body.
• Interpersonal relationships can cause stress.
• TRUE
• Stress can sometimes lead you to perform at your best.
• TRUE
• Stress disrupts memory.
• TRUE
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IQ
ANSWER TRUE FALSE OR IT DEPENDS
• During times of high stress, you should take a break from
exercising to give your body a rest.
• FALSE: During times of stress you should not neglect your
body’s physical needs. This means you should eat well,
exercise, and get adequate sleep.
• People who experience high levels of stress are more likely to
get a cold.
• TRUE
• Watching a funny movie is a good way to reduce stress.
• TRUE
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IQ
ANSWER TRUE FALSE OR IT DEPENDS
• People who write in a journal to reduce stress have lower
rates of illness.
• IT DEPENDS: Journaling can help you release your
feelings and manage your stress, which may lead to being
less stressed and less susceptible to illness, but this is
not guaranteed.
• Social media can cause stress.
• IT DEPENDS: If you are experiencing stressful
interpersonal conflict that occurs online, then social
media can cause stress. At other times, social media can
be a source of pleasant emotions as a result of being
socially connected.
WHAT IS STRESS?
• Stress – the body’s physical and
psychological response to traumatic or
challenging situations
• Stressor – any factor that causes stress
TYPES OF STRESSORS
• Stress may be . . .
– acute (sudden and
short-lived) or chronic
(lasting over a long
time period)
– caused by major
events or daily
struggles
– positive as well as
negative
ACUTE VERSUS CHRONIC STRESS
• Acute stress is temporary
(example: a final exam)
• Chronic stress is continual
(example: stress over an
unsafe neighborhood)
• The body can manage
acute stress, but chronic
stress harms the body
MAJOR LIFE EVENTS VERSUS DAILY HASSLES
• Major events (moving,
a parent’s death) are
the most stressful in a
person’s life
• Daily hassles (being
late, losing keys)
create more overall
stress since they occur
frequently
THINK FURTHER
How can stress be positive as well as negative?
Stress can produce positive feelings, such as excitement
before a big game or motivation to do well on a test.
Positive events, such as the birth of a sibling, can cause
stress because they increase responsibilities.
Why is it possible for two people to have completely
different responses to the same stressful event?
People may have different perceptions of an event,
interpreting or thinking about it in a different way.
SOURCES OF STRESS FOR TEENAGERS
Click here for the Unit 6
video, “Stressed Out”
• Relationships (conflict with
family, friends, and peers)
• School (academic pressure;
balancing schoolwork with
other activities)
• Home environment (crowded,
noisy, lack of privacy; lack of
food or money; crime in your
neighborhood)
• Inner conflict (making difficult
life choices)
STAGES OF STRESS
The body’s response
to stress can be
divided into three
stages:
1. ALARM
2. RESISTANCE
3. EXHAUSTION
ALARM STAGE
• Your body mobilizes all of its resources to fight off
a threat, either by attacking or escaping from the
threat.
• This physiological reaction to a threat is called the
fight-or-flight response.
• Fight-or-Flight:
- increase heart rate, blood flow, and sweat production
- Pupils widen to improve your vision
- Other body processes are stopped or slowed down
(such as digestion and reproduction). This allows your
body to focus its resources where they are most
needed.
RESISTANCE STAGE
• Your body continues to devote energy to
maintaining its physiological response to
the threat.
• Heart rate, blood pressure, and
breathing are still rapid
EXHAUSTION STAGE
• If the threat persists, the body may
stay in a state of physiological
arousal for a long time.
• The body’s resources will be used
up and exhaustion will occur.
THE BODY’S RESPONSE TO STRESS
• People who experience chronic stress are at greater risk of
developing a number of illnesses and diseases, including:
• Ulcers
• Diabetes
• Colds and flu
• Asthma
• Headaches
• Eczema and hives
• Back pain
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Hernias
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
STRESS AND BODY SYSTEMS
• Nervous system—the brain, sensing a
threat, sends out signals to mobilize
the body
• Endocrine system—produces stress
hormones, epinephrine and
norepinephrine
• Cardiovascular system—pumps blood
at a faster rate
• Immune system—gets fewer
resources to produce disease-fighting
lymphocytes
• Reproductive system—stress
hormones such as cortisol cause sex
hormones to decrease, reducing
fertility
STRESS AND YOUR MENTAL AND
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
• Stress affects cognitive
abilities (thinking and
reasoning), leading to
–
–
–
–
–
Trouble focusing
Risk of injury
Negative thoughts
Impulsive decisions
Forgetfulness (stress hormones
disrupt the hippocampus—the
brain’s memory center)
STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS
• Stress can cause many
emotions: fear, anxiety,
helplessness, anger,
shock, or numbness
• Chronic stress can lead to
depression, a feeling of
low self-worth and
disinterest in life
• Extremely stressful events
can cause post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
• May occur after a person experiences and
extremely frightening or upsetting event.
• These events include natural disasters, war,
terrorist events, and sexual assault.
What are some symptoms of post-traumatic stress
disorder, or PTSD?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nightmares and recurring thoughts about the event
Feeling detached, numb, uncaring, irritable, angry, or guilty
Inability to remember parts of the event
Lack of interest in normal activities
Avoidance of people associated with the event
Being easily startled
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping
STRESS AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
• Stress can lead to
behavioral problems
– Conflict (arguments
and domestic violence)
– Unhealthy lifestyle
choices (smoking,
drinking, taking drugs,
bad eating habits,
infrequent exercise,
lack of sleep)
MANAGING STRESS
TIPS FOR REDUCING OR AVOIDING STRESS:
• Manage time (plan ahead)
• Set limits by saying no
when too busy
• Stay positive
• Distract yourself
• Laugh
• Use relaxation techniques
• Take care of yourself
• Express feelings to a
friend or in a journal
STAYING POSITIVE
• Use positive reappraisal
to focus on the positives
of a stressful event
• Distract yourself—go for a
walk, read, or volunteer
• Watch a funny movie or
talk to a friend who makes
you laugh
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
• Deep breathing – decreases heart
rate and blood pressure
• Visualization – imagining being in a
pleasant environment.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation –
tensing then relaxing each part of
your body.
• Meditation – clear your mind
• Yoga - a series of postures and
breathing exercises
EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS
• Talk to a friend or family member – one of the
best strategies for managing stress is to talk to the
people who you trust
• Write in a journal – reflecting on problems can
also help release and manage stress.
WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
• Seek the help of a
counselor, social worker,
therapist, or psychologist
– After experiencing major
stress such as the death of a
loved one or parents’ divorce
– When you’ve experienced
stress for more than a couple
of weeks
STRESS AND ANXIETY WEBQUEST
http://kidshealth.org/teen/stress_coping_center/
MENTAL ILLNESSES AND DISORDERS
• Mental illness – a medical condition in
which a person experiences mental or
emotional problems severe or persistent
enough to interfere with daily
functioning; also known as a mental
disorder
• The terms mental illness and mental
disorder are often used interchangeably
because they both refer to serious
mental health conditions.
• Anxiety and Depression are two of the
most common types of mental illnesses.
ANXIETY
• Symptoms of anxiety
include:
–
–
–
–
Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing
Sweaty palms
Upset stomach
• People who experience
these symptoms on a
regular basis may have
an anxiety disorder
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorder – a mental
illness characterized by extreme
or unrealistic worries about daily
events, experiences, or objects.
TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS:
• Panic disorder – experience panic attacks (episodes of intense fear
that are often accompanied by serious physical symptoms.
• Generalized anxiety disorder - causes extreme or unrealistic worries
over daily experiences
• Phobias – extreme anxiety caused by specific objects or situations.
(e.g., social phobia or social anxiety disorder)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – persistent and obsessive
thoughts or feelings that they manage by engaging in ritualized
behavior.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - occurs after a terrifying event
or experience
• Depression is a feeling of
hopelessness, loneliness, and
inability to care about anything
• Most people experience
depression at some point in their
lives, but the feelings typically go
away over time
• Depression that lasts a long time
or is especially severe is called
major depression or clinical
depression
MAJOR DEPRESSION
• Symptoms of major depression:
–
–
–
–
–
Extreme tiredness and lack of energy
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability, anger, and hostility
Recurrent thoughts of death
• How is major depression different from typical
feelings of loss and sadness?
– Major depression is very intense and lasts for two weeks or more.
People experience changes in thinking and behavior. If left
untreated, it can have serious effects.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by intense
periods of depression closely
followed by extreme positive,
or manic feelings
Symptoms of a manic mood
may include poor judgment,
little need for sleep,
hyperactive behavior, and
lack of self-control.
People in the mania phase of
bipolar disorder may show lack of
self-control by overspending.
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIFE
Hakeem Rahim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Fk50
3rRT4
SCHIZOPHRENIA
• Schizophrenia
– A mental illness characterized by delusions,
hallucinations, and irregular thoughts
WHAT IS A PERSONALITY DISORDER?
Personality disorder - A consistent
pattern of inappropriate behavior
 People with antisocial personality disorder
disregard rules and are indifferent to other
people’s rights and feelings
 People with borderline personality disorder have
unstable self-esteem and relationships
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
People with ASD have problems
with normal interpersonal
interactions
Symptoms include
 Avoiding eye contact
 Failing to respond when spoken to
 Engaging in repetitive motions or unusual
behaviors
 Needing a familiar routine
 Using gestures inappropriately
 Having delayed language development
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD/ADHD)
• ADD and ADHD are the most
common mental disorders in
children and adolescents
• Symptoms
– Difficulty focusing, organizing and
completing tasks, sitting still, and
listening to instructions
– Becoming bored quickly
– Talking too much or blurting out
inappropriate things
People with ADD/ADHD get
bored quickly and struggle to
pay attention.
OTHER DISORDERS
Addiction to substances increases
a person’s risk of depression,
anxiety, and other mental illness.
MYTH OR FACT?
Eating disorders and self-injury are not real disorders, but
ways for people to get attention.
MYTH
- Fact: Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses.
- Fact: While not technically a mental disorder, selfinjury is often addictive and can be linked to other
mental disorders such as depression or borderline
personality. People self-injure because they cannot
effectively manage or control their emotions.
CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESSES
• The causes of most
mental illnesses and
disorders are unknown
• They may be caused by
a combination of
– Biological factors
– Environmental factors
– Psychological factors
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS: GENETICS
• Certain genes inherited from parents can give
someone a genetic predisposition for mental
illness, meaning they are more likely to develop
that illness
• Genes influence the levels of chemicals in the
brain
– Low serotonin can cause depression
– People with high levels of dopamine may have
schizophrenia
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS: BRAIN INJURY
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
such as a concussion results
from a severe blow or jolt to the
head that damages the brain
• Brain injuries can lead to
temporary or permanent
changes in the brain, including
–
–
–
–
–
Depression
Anxiety
Personality changes
Aggression
Substance abuse to control
mood and pain
THINK FURTHER
What are some symptoms of a concussion?
Disorientation and confusion
Nausea
Weakness
Memory loss
Unconsciousness
Why should a concussion be treated by a
doctor?
– Concussions can lead to serious
complications.
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS:
PRENATAL ENVIRONMENT
• Developing babies risk mental
illness if the mother:
–
–
–
–
Uses alcohol or drugs
Eats poorly
Has stress or trauma
Is exposed to a virus, toxins, or
certain chemicals
• Babies may also experience
brain damage during a difficult
birth
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
• Mental disorders can be triggered
by stressful events and
experiences in a person’s
environment
–
–
–
–
–
Death of a loved one
Divorce
Family conflict
Financial pressures
Moving or changing jobs or
schools
– Abuse or neglect
– Substance abuse
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
• Unhealthy thinking patterns,
or cognitive distortions, can
lead to mental disorders
• Examples include black-andwhite thinking and
catastrophizing
• Changing these ways of
thinking can improve mental
health
Therapy can help people
change unhealthy thinking
patterns, leading to improved
mental health.
UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING SUICIDE
Jordan Burnham Story – Depression & Suicide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfj3Suuk4Tk&safe=active
WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE?
• People consider suicide
because they believe their
life can never get better
• A mental illness such as
depression is often the
cause of these feelings
• It is important for people
to get help if they are
contemplating suicide
RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDE
•
•
•
•
•
•
Past suicide attempts
A history of mental illness or substance abuse
Troubled home environment
Crisis such as financial hardship
Experience of abuse, neglect, or bullying
Hearing about someone else who has committed
suicide (this can lead to a suicide contagion or suicide
clusters)
• Suicide contagion – copying of suicide attempts
• Suicide clusters – a series of suicides in a
community over a relatively short period of time
IMPACT OF SUICIDE ON OTHERS
• Survivors who have lost a
loved one to suicide may feel
– Guilt for not being able to
prevent the death
– Abandonment and rejection
– Embarrassment or shame
• Since others feel
uncomfortable with the topic
of suicide, survivors may not
get the support they need
PREVENTING SUICIDE
How can you help prevent suicide? What warning signs can you
look for?
‒Take any mention of suicide seriously. When someone
threatens suicide, or if you are thinking of suicide, get help
immediately. Find a trusted adult, call 911, or phone a suicide
hotline to reach a counselor.
‒ Look for warning signs such as
•
•
•
•
•
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
Disregard for personal appearance
Giving away possessions
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
BARRIERS TO SEEKING HELP
• Social stigma
– Negative and unfair beliefs
about mental illness that can
make people ashamed to
seek help
• Cost of treatment
– Health insurance may cover
part of the expense; some
clinics offer reduced rates or
no cost
TREATMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
•
•
•
•
Individual therapy
Family therapy
Support groups
Medication, often used in
combination with therapy
• Inpatient treatment
received round-the-clock
in a hospital
MEDICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
• Antidepressants treat depression by making
chemicals such as serotonin more available
• Stimulants for ADD/ADHD help increase
norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, improving
memory and attention span
• Medication for anxiety helps slow down the central
nervous system
• Antipsychotics help manage schizophrenia
• Lithium helps control the highs and lows of bipolar
disorder
• Medications may help people manage withdrawal
from addictions and substance abuse