Mental health and stress To explore some if the causes and consequences of mental health issues

What is mental health? Discuss what you already know Watch the following clips and then discuss what new information you now know… ZjUYI MM3mQ

Some different types of mental illnesses… Depression: Bipolar: Eating disorders: Schizophrenia There are other mental health issues, this is just a small selection.

Stigma Previously people stigmatised mental health issues e.g. if you were known to have had a mental health issue employers may have turned you down for a even though your mental health issue would not have stopped you from doing that job well. Often, a lack of understanding of mental health leads to people fearing it or making inaccurate assumptions.

Stress The definition: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. a6CM Which things cause you stress?

Symptoms How do you know that you are stressed? Some of the common symptoms include: Increased heart rate Sweating more Losing concentration Dry mouth Feeling sick

Why do we respond to stress like this? These are all results of our bodies’ natural response to stress. It was developed in humans when we were cave people and our only stressors were physical ones like sabre-toothed tigers. Our bodies needed to access enough energy to fight or flee the stress. However, today, human stressors are less likely to be physically demanding but mentally or emotionally demanding (fear of failure, too much work and not enough time etc)

Effects If our bodies remain in the stress response mode, it can lead to other problems such as:  Constant increased heart rate may lead to heart problems  Constant use of energy reserves lead to your digestive and immune systems not working well and so you are more likely to get colds and sickness  Constantly not being able to focus on things such as school work can affect your career prospects

Stress Management Reducing the stressors in your life may be one solution but it is often not possible e.g. if exams are stressing you out, you can’t close your eyes and pretend like they don’t exist. It is more important that you manage your response to the stressor. In the exam example, you reduce your stress levels by doing something productive to overcome the stressor e.g. revise!

Managing the stressors If your stressor is not having enough time, focus on your time management strategies. Be more organised, use a timetable to ensure that you are using time effectively. If your stressor is work load, apply time management strategies, break your tasks into small manageable goals, ask someone else to monitor your achievements so that you are more inclined to work If your stressor is family or relationship issues, talk to someone about how you feel or if possible, talk to the person who is causing the stress about how it makes you feel. Friends, family members, teachers, the school nurse, the school counsellor, childline and the internet may all be really good sources of support for off loading and/or getting advice. However, you are the one who has to make your own decisions.

Managing your stress response However, you can also manage your own physical symptoms of stress. You can actually train yourself to control your heart rate by:  Taking slow and deep breaths  Learning muscle relaxation techniques  Meditating  Exercising  Listening to calming music

Another way of looking at it… oXEU oXEU