What is Mental Health?

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH? a rough guide for young people

INTRODUCTION Hey! We’re Andy McAteer and Megan Duffield. We are both 17 and from Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

We started this project after witnessing the stigma around mental health within schools and how this can affect young people. We believe this is needed to raise awareness of mental health problems, reduce the stigma and negative stereotypes and hopefully encourage more people to talk to support one another.

This is important because when a student is already struggling with a mental health problem the stigma and negative attitudes of other people can often make students feel worse and not help towards their recovery.

We hope that all students, especially those with mental health problems, will benefit from this project because people will be more understanding and supportive towards each other.

This resource should not be relied on as a substitute for formal medical or other advice.

what is mental health definition

?

A person’s condition regarding their psychological and emotional wellbeing.

If you’re in good mental health, you can: • Make the most of your potential.

• Cope with life.

• Play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends.

*mentalhealth.org

Your mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health as it is just as important and disabling.

Mental health problems can affect both boys and girls.

Having a mental health problem is not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about, it is part of life and they can be treated, just like physical health problems.

Speak to someone if you’re worried.

some issues

Here are some of the conditions that are considered mental health problems. They range in severity and symptoms.

anx iety ADDICTION on i s s e insomnia depr STRESS

phobias

self-harm

obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

borderline personality disorder

seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

isorde

r

rs

sorde i d g n i t ea

dria

hon

oc hyp

panic d

Anorexia Nervosa bulimia

bipolar diso

rder

ALZHEIMER’S DIS

EASE

PSYCHOSIS

HRENIA

SCHIZOP

body dysmorphic disorder e abuse

nc substa

HOARDING

suicide post-traumatic stress disorder

For more information about these conditions please visit www.nhs.uk and search using the term.

FACTS & STATS 1 in 4

people suffer with a mental health problem at some point in their lives. *who.int

1 in 10

children between the ages of 1 - 15 have some kind of mental health problem, that’s roughly 3 in every classroom.

*The Office for National Statistics Mental health in children and young people in Great Britain, 2005

Mental health problems affect more people as they get older.

Disorders affect

10.4

rising to

5.9

rising to

% of girls aged 5-10

12.8

% of boys aged 11-15

% of boys aged 5-10

9.65

% of girls aged 11-15

*Mental Disorder More Common In Boys, National Statistics Online, 2004

Myth busting Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty, it’s nothing!

Fact: 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem.

Myth: People with mental health illness are usually violent and unpredictable.

Fact: People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence. *bris.ac.uk/news/2012/9030.html

Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings.

Fact: Nearly 3 in 4 young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their mental health problems. *time-to-change.org.uk

Myth: People with mental health problems never fully recover.

Fact: They can.

You can find more mental health statistics, facts and myths on time-to-change.org.uk/ mental-health-statistics-facts

talk about mental health You don’t need to be an expert to talk about mental health. Often it’s the small things that can make a difference to someone, like asking ‘How are you?’ or sending them a text to say hello. We find these tips from time-to-change.org.uk really helpful, and we hope you do too.

Talk, but listen too: simply being there will mean a lot.

Keep in touch: meet up, phone, email or text.

Don’t just talk about mental health: chat about everyday things as well.

Remind them you care: small things can make a big difference.

Be patient: ups and downs can happen.

mental illness doesn’t have to hold you back You can live with a mental illness and still be successful. Here are a few famous people who are open about their mental health conditions. The key is that they all looked for help. You don’t have to suffer a mental illness on your own, there is support out there.

stephen fry bipolar Demi lovato bulimia, bipolar, self-harm catherine zeta jones bipolar II elton john substance abuse, bulimia drew barrymore panic attacks, bipolar

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR SUPPORT mind.org.uk getconnected.org.uk 0808 808 4994 childline.org.uk 0800 1111

for more information about this leaflet and to view or download it online visit:

fixers.org.uk/whatismentalhealth Fixers is a campaign that helps young people ‘use their past to fix the future’ and is part-funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.

FixersUK

fixers.org.uk

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