Mental Health

What term encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being?

(a)  

How many people in the UK will experience a mental health problem every year?

• 1/8

• 1/4

• 1/2

How long do the majority of people with a mental health problem wait before telling their closest family and friends about it?

• 2 months

• 7 months

• Over a year

Answer explanation

A Time to Change survey showed that 60% of people with a mental health problem waited over a year to tell the people closest to them about it. The survey also said that 40 per cent of people with a mental health problem experience stigma and discrimination on a weekly or monthly basis.

What proportion of people with mental health problems experience stigma?

• 10%

• 50%

• 90%

What is good mental health?

• Not having a mental illness

• Feeling good about yourself, others and your environment

• Doing yoga every day

Answer explanation

Mental health is a state, or reflection, of our emotional and mental well-being as it relates to ourselves (self-esteem), others (friends and family) and our different environments (school, our sports teams and dance groups, home and virtual environments such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, video games, etc.). It’s like an inner scale that can tip to one side or the other as we experience the ups and downs of life. Everyone can take care of their mental health and stay balanced, whether they’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness or not.

Half of all mental health disorders begin before what age?

• 14 years of age

• 6 years of age

• 22 years of age

Answer explanation

Half of all mental health disorders begin before the age of 14, and 75% before the age of 22. That’s why it’s very important to take care of your mental health, even if you’re young!

You can “work” on your mental health

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Good mental health is something you build. You can maintain your mental health with short daily exercises and good lifestyle habits. This can include sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night, eating healthily, exercising (even moderately) at least 1 hour a day, managing your screen time, etc. With practice, it gets easier and easier – just like learning a sport.

What proportion of people with mental health problems believe that workplace stress contributed to their illness?

• 1/5

• 1/3

• 2/3

Answer explanation

About two thirds of people with mental health problems believe that long hours, unrealistic workloads or bad management either caused or exacerbated their condition

How can you improve your mental health?

• Filling your day with activities (sports, school, etc.) without taking a break

• Looking at photos of fitness or lifestyle influencers and trying to imitate them

• Spending time with friends and family

Answer explanation

Spending time with friends and family! Why should you? Because it’ll do you a world of good to see people in person and spend time talking or doing something fun together. Conversely, overloading yourself or comparing yourself to people whose image doesn’t always match reality, such as influencers, creates stress and anxiety, and undermines your self-esteem.

When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, what’s the best way to ease the pressure?

• Watch your favourite TV show on repeat

• Annoy your siblings, friends or your parents

• Meditate

Answer explanation

Meditate! Running away from your problem by doing mindless activities, keeping busy or acting it out on others only pushes it away and solves nothing. Meditation allows you to take a break from your thoughts by focusing on the present moment. You’ll be able to reconnect with your emotions and the sensations in your body, as well as with what’s going on around you.