EMOTIONAL HEALTH PRESENTATION 2

TOPICS  Emotions & Managing Them  Mental Disorders  Depression  Suicide  Death, Dying, & Loss

Expressing Emotions  An emotion is a feeling produced in response to life experiences.  Expressing emotions in a healthy way is important for your mental and emotional health.  You learn to express your emotions in part by observing others.  You can relearn how to express emotions more constructively.

Managing Emotions 1. Talk it out Talk out the way you are feeling with a friend or in your own head (Assertive statements work. See wheel on next slide.) 2. Blow off steam Physical activity, such as exercise or sports, can help you release energy. *Optional Shredder activity at end 3. Be creative Creative activities also help release tension.

Managing Different Types of Emotions  Anger often results from frustration.  Anger can always be dealt with appropriately.  Learn to recognize when you feel angry.  When you do feel angry, try to calm down before taking action.

Managing Different Types of Emotions  Fear can be debilitating or it can protect you from real danger.  Use self-talk to get over an unwanted fear.  Guilt can alert you when you are acting against your values.  To deal with guilt, do your best to right the wrong.

Managing Different Types of Emotions  Jealousy is often caused by fear that someone or something you love will be lost.  Talking about your jealousy is often the best way to cope with it.  Loneliness is a feeling of being emotionally isolated from others.  A good way to manage loneliness is to actively seek out other people.

Defense Mechanism  A defense mechanism is an unconscious thought or behavior used to avoid unpleasant emotions.  Some defense mechanisms can help you cope with difficult emotions temporarily.  Most defense mechanisms, however, just mask unwanted feelings.  It is usually better to manage your emotions more actively.

10 Types of Defense Mechanisms  1. Compensation: making up for a weakness in one area by achieving in another. (sports v. academics)  2. Day Dreaming: provides distraction from unpleasant realities  3. Denial: refusing to accept reality  4. Displacement: shifting feelings about a person or situation to another person or situation

10 Types of Defense Mechanisms  5. Idealization copying someone you think highly of because you don’t feel good about who you are  6. Projection seeing your own faults or feelings in someone else  7. Rationalization making excuses for or justifying behavior

10 Types of Defense Mechanisms  8. Regression reacting to emotions in a childlike or immature fashion  9. Repression blocking out painful thoughts or feelings  10. Sublimation redirecting negative impulses into positive behavior

Worksheet Handout for Homework Worksheet Handout for Homework  Write the name of a defense mechanism for the following situations. You will use each mechanism once.  1. The man started to suck his thumb like he did when he was little since his mother died.  2. The woman saw that her daughter was hitting her brother and realized she had been spanking the children.

Mental Disorders

What are Mental Disorders?  A mental disorder is an illness that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.  They are often misunderstood, but treatable.  Knowing the symptoms can help you understand them.

Common Symptoms  The following are common symptoms of many mental disorders:  Too much or too little sleep  Feelings of extreme sadness  Unexplained mood changes  Drug or alcohol abuse  Inability to concentrate  Extreme anxiety or irrational fear  Personality changes  False perceptions of reality

2 Mood Disorders  Mood extremes occur. 1. Clinical Depression is based on a chemical imbalance that a person cannot overcome without professional help. (More on this common one later in the notes) 2. Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Disorder) has extreme changes in energy levels and behavior. “Highs & Lows.”

Eating Disorders  We covered these in nutrition. They can involve heart conditions and kidney failure, which can lead to death. Examples: Anorexia & Bulimia

4 Anxiety Disorders  They are fear-based disorders that can keep you from taking part in daily activities. 1. Panic disorders are characterized by extreme terror and panic attacks. Symptoms: trembling, pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. They are usually triggered by an object, condition, or situation.

4 Anxiety Disorders 2. Phobias are anxiety disorders characterized by extreme fear of something that poses no real danger. (Some common phobias are: dogs, high places, open spaces, tight spaces, spiders) (Some common phobias are: dogs, high places, open spaces, tight spaces, spiders)

4 Anxiety Disorders 3. Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is characterized by uncomfortable thoughts called obsessions and repetitive behaviors called compulsions. They are persistent, unwanted thoughts. (washing hands constantly throughout the day)

4 Anxiety Disorders 4. Post-traumatic stress disorder- It may develop after exposure to a terrifying event that threatened or caused physical harm (earthquakes, plane crash, rape, war, personal assault, etc.) Symptoms are flashbacks, nightmares, sleeplessness, guilt, emotional numbness, problems with concentration. 2 minute video about PTDS:

Brain Pop  Tim and Moby Time  ADHD = One more mental disorder

Conduct Disorders  Acting out impulses toward others in destructive ways. Social rules are violated.  Lying, theft, aggression, violence, truancy, arson, and vandalism.  More males involved than females. Although toughness is projected, they usually have low self-esteem.

Schizophrenia  Severe disorder in which a person loses contact with reality.  Delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders.  Caused by genetic disorders and chemical imbalances in the brain.  Typically not violent or threatening to others.

Personality Disorders  Thinking and behaving in ways that make it difficult for them to get along with others. Antisocial personality disorder Antisocial personality disorder Borderline personality disorder Borderline personality disorder Passive-Aggressive personality disorder Passive-Aggressive personality disorder

Causes of Mental Disorders  Some mental disorders develop from traumatic or stressful life experiences.  Some can be inherited.  Some mental health issues are caused by physical disorders or injuries.  Whatever the cause, many mental disorders can be treated or cured.

Help for Mental Disorders  Psychotherapy is especially useful in treating mental disorders caused by traumatic experiences.  In group therapy, a licensed therapist leads a group of people who may have a similar disorder.  Medication can also help in the treatment of some mental disorders.

DEPRESSION: another mental disorder

Paperslide Activity  Students take a piece of paper and fold it into quarters. Carefully tear the folded lines so there are 4 pieces.  Students write one statement on each 1/4 piece of paper that someone could say that would make someone feel bad.(“Your hair looks ugly today.” “You’re so stupid.”) THEY MUST CONTAIN SCHOOL APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.)  These are not necessarily things that have been said to you, just generic statements.  Turn in statements to teacher who reads some.

Round 1  Teacher has 6 cones 15 feet from wall.  Class lines up by row single file behind each cone.  Round 1: Walk to wall when teacher says “Go” at normal speed, in relay fashion. Teacher times the groups and announces their time when they finish. Scorekeeper keeps track on board.

Round 2  Round 2: Each player has a piece of paper that someone wrote a statement on.  Each player must put it under one foot and drag it to wall, pick it up at wall, and walk back with it in hand. Compare times on board. (Keep paper; it will be used later.)

Rounds 3-5  Each player gets another piece of paper and must drag it and the previous paper to wall. (Both feet drag papers.)  Record times and compare on board.  Round 4 = another paper under so both feet and a hand are dragging  Round 5 = another paper under other hand so both hands and both feet are dragging

Discussion  Explain how the rounds progressed and the times changed.  How does the activity compare to what happens in people’s lives?  What are some ways people lose self-esteem and become depressed?  Can we control what others say and do?  Can we control how we react to others?

Discussion  What happens to us if we let what others say and do affect how we feel?  How can this process lead to suicide?  What can we do to not allow others to impact how we feel?  How can we get out of a depressed mood?  How can we help others get out of a depressed mood?  How do the people we hang around with affect our moods and images of ourselves?

Depression – What is it?  Feelings of sadness, hopelessness & despair that persist and interfere with academics, work performance or interpersonal relationships.

Adolescent Depression: 17 Signs  Irritability  Overreaction to criticism  Problems with authority  Persistent feelings of sadness  A drop in school performance  Indecision, lack of concentration  Poor self-esteem  Frequent physical complaints

Adolescent Depression: 17 Signs (continued)  Isolation  Low motivation  Using controlled substances  Loss of pleasure or interest in activities once enjoyed  Fatigue or loss of energy  Sleep disturbances  Weight or appetite disturbances  Feelings of hopelessness, or guilt/blame  Thoughts of suicide or death

If you are experiencing depression 1. Face the problem Seek professional help. 2. Identify the problem Try to find out what is causing the depression. It could be loneliness, a loss, or a chemical imbalance. 3. Take action Some ways to cope with depression include changing negative thinking, seeking support from others, and increasing physical activity.

Depression Video Clip Options  8 minute video: Teens & Depression:  m/Health/video/detect ing-teen-depression- teenager-sad-mental- health-help- symptoms-warning- signs m/Health/video/detect ing-teen-depression- teenager-sad-mental- health-help- symptoms-warning- signs m/Health/video/detect ing-teen-depression- teenager-sad-mental- health-help- symptoms-warning- signs  3 minute video: overview of depression: on.com/Conditions/Vi deos/Depression on.com/Conditions/Vi deos/Depression on.com/Conditions/Vi deos/Depression

Resources for Help  School counselor  Crisis telephone hot-lines: SUICIDE= or TALK=  Physicians/health care providers  Mental health counselor  Parents  Clergy  Coaches, teachers, youth leaders

SUICIDE

Suicidal Behaviors 1. Thoughts 2. Attempts 3. Death

Next 8 questions...  Answer the following questions (T=true, F=false), in the left hand margin on your paper. We will go over the answers when you are finished.

How much do you know about suicide facts? 1. If my friend talked about killing herself, even jokingly, she could really mean it and might commit suicide 2. Once a teen attempts suicide, he/she has a higher risk for attempting again. 3. Teens who use drugs or alcohol are not at a greater risk for committing suicide. 4. If you ask a troubled friend if he/she is suicidal, you will be planting the idea in his/her head. 5. Reckless driving or doing dangerous things that could lead to death might be a sign that a teen is having thoughts of suicide or unclear whether they want to live. 6. Suicide is the third most common cause of death among adolescents and young adults in the US. 7. There are no warning signs before a suicide takes place. 8. Once a teen is suicidal, he/she is suicidal forever.

The truth about suicide 1. If my friend talked about killing herself, even jokingly, she could really mean it and might commit suicide. ANSWER: TRUE ANSWER: TRUE 2. Once a teen attempts suicide, he/she has a higher risk for attempting again.  ANSWER: TRUE 3. Teens who use drugs or alcohol are not at a greater risk for committing suicide.  ANSWER: FALSE

The truth about suicide 4. If you ask a troubled friend if he/she is suicidal, you will be planting the idea in his/her head.  ANSWER: FALSE 5. Reckless driving or doing dangerous things that could lead to death might be a sign that a teen is having thoughts of suicide or unclear whether they want to live.  ANSWER: TRUE

The truth about suicide 6. Suicide is the third most common cause of death among adolescents and young adults in the US and #1 in Utah. (#1 is motor vehicle accidents, #2 is homicide)  ANSWER: TRUE 7. There are no warning signs before a suicide takes place.  ANSWER: FALSE, 80% of the time people have given definite signals or talked about it. 8. Once a teen is suicidal, he/she is suicidal forever.  ANSWER: FALSE

The Point Is:  Youth suicide is a major problem in Utah.  For every completed suicide, there are at least 6 attempts which cause serious injury requiring hospitalization.  Talking about suicide may help to save a life!

Causes of Suicidal Behavior Relationships Individual  Depression, hopelessness anxiety  drugs &/or alcohol use Home School Family conflicts/fights Death/divorce Abuse Failing grades Suspension School pressures Conflict and/or break-ups Pregnancy Bullying

The Point Is:  LOSS is a common theme.  There are usually many causes.

Warning Signs  Suicide-Risk Behaviors  Past attempts  Talking about suicide, making plans  Preoccupation with death  Depression  Moody, down  Feeling hopeless, withdrawing   Drug Use  Things that  Risk  Easy access to guns  Impulsiveness  No one to talk to

Resources for Help  School counselor  Crisis telephone hot-lines: SUICIDE ( ) or TALK  Physicians/health care providers  Mental health counselor  Parents  Clergy  Coaches, teachers, youth leaders

What is NOT Helpful  Ignoring or dismissing the issue  “Oh, let’s talk about something else.”  “You’ll meet another girl and forget this one; you’re a great guy.”  Acting shocked or embarrassed  “You aren’t REALLY thinking of suicide, are you?”  Challenging or debating  “So go ahead; see if things really DO get better.”  “Don’t you know that it is wrong to kill yourself?”  Giving harmful advice  “Let’s go get drunk and forget about all our problems.”

What IS Helpful: 3 steps  Show You Care--Listen carefully  “I’m concerned about you... about how you feel.”  Ask the Question--Be direct but caring & non-confrontational  “Are you thinking about suicide?”  Get Help--Do not leave him/her alone, use resources  “You’re not alone. Let me help you.”

Ways to say it:  Show You Care:  “Tell me about your pain.”  “You mean a lot to me and I want to help.”  “I care about you, about how you’re holding up.”  “I don’t want you to kill yourself.”  “I’m on your side... we’ll get through this.”

Ways to say it:  Ask The Question:  “Are you thinking about harming yourself, ending your life?”  “How long have you been thinking about suicide?”  “Have you thought about how you would do it?”  “Do you really want to die to make the pain go away?”

Ways to say it:  Get Help  “Together I know we can figure something out to make you feel better.”  “I know where we can get some help.”  “I will stay with you. Let’s call the crisis line.”  “I can go with you to where we can get some help.”  “Let’s talk to someone who can help like the counselor’s office.”

Optional Video “It’s Never Too Late: Stopping Teen Suicide” (28 minutes)

Practice the Model Practice the Model  Teacher demonstration with a student.  On whiteboard, write a 1,2, & 3. - A friend is really upset and said something about possibly hurting him/herself. The problem is the parents are divorcing. Use the QPR Model: 1. Question 2. Persuade 3. Report  Student to student in front of class: (problem=death of a friend)  Partners speaking: Partner #1 says problem = lonely/depressed/stressed cuz of stuff at school, partner #2 does Show, Ask, Get help. #1 or 2 can start the conversation. (Debrief.)

Resources for Help  School counselor  Crisis telephone hot-lines: SUICIDE ( ) or TALK  Physicians/health care providers  Mental health counselor  Parents  Clergy  Coaches, teachers, youth leaders

DEATH, DYING, & LOSS

Brain Pop  Tim and Moby Time  Mourning

Supershort Assignment #3  Make a list of five things that people could lose that would make them very sad.  Make a list of five different emotions someone can experience if they lost something/someone important to them.

Coping with Loss  Almost all societies express grief through rituals of mourning for the dead.  This is important because death is the most socially and emotionally disruptive event the majority of people ever experience.  Common types of ceremonies in the US: Wake: allows family/friends to view the deceased before the funeral. Wake: allows family/friends to view the deceased before the funeral. Funeral: the deceased is buried or cremated, many times a pastor/priest/religious leader will lead the ceremony. Funeral: the deceased is buried or cremated, many times a pastor/priest/religious leader will lead the ceremony. Memorial Service: usually take place long after the person has passed away and allows family/friends to remember the loved one. Memorial Service: usually take place long after the person has passed away and allows family/friends to remember the loved one.

5 STAGES OF THE GRIEVING PROCESS Some people may experience these: 1. Denial: refusing to believe the loss has occurred. 2. Anger (rage): is normal when facing a loss, be careful in your responses and use anger management skills. 3. Bargaining: the final attempt to avoid what is true. (sometimes people will have thoughts that they can take the place of the person who is gone, or if they change a behavior it will bring the person back) 4. Depression: sadness is a natural and important emotion to express. If feelings start to affect daily activities for more than a few days seek help. 5. Acceptance: you begin to learn how to live with a loss. It is still painful, but you know that you will get through it and life will go on.

If YOU are dealing with a loss  Get plenty of rest and try to keep your daily routines that you had before the loss.  Share memories or thoughts about the deceased.  Express your feelings (i.e. crying, journaling, talking)  If the loss was unintentional avoid blame (yourself/others). *blame only creates avoidance about the truth.

Helping OTHERS deal with a loss  Show support through simple actions: cook a meal, run errands, etc.  Let them know you are there for them.  Tell the person they are strong and will be ok.  If the person seems depressed and the behavior persists tell a trusted adult.

Brain Pop  Tim and Moby Time  Death