Mental Health

MODULE #1 - The Stigma Of Mental Illness

• Stigma acts as a barrier to people seeking help for mental health problems and mental illness.

• Understanding mental illness and treatments can help dispel misconceptions and stigma.

• People’s attitudes about mental illness can be positively influenced by exposure to accurate information.

• We all have a responsibility to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

MODULE #2 - Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness

Everyone has mental health regardless of whether or not they have a mental illness.

• The brain controls our thinking, perceptions, emotions, physical activities, behaviour and provides us with cues about how to adapt to our environment

(signaling).

• A mental illness is a health condition arising from changes in usual brain functioning that causes that person substantial difficulty in functioning.

• Mental illnesses have complex causes that include a biological basis and are therefore not that different from other illnesses. As with all illnesses, the sooner people obtain effective treatment for mental illness - the better their outcomes.

• The stress response is a normal phenomenon that signals adaptation to changes in our environment is needed.

MODULE #3 - Information on Specific Mental Illnesses

• All mental illnesses reflect difficulties in: thinking, perception, emotions, physical activities, behaviour and signaling.

• The exact cause of mental illnesses is not yet known, but complex interactions between a person’s biology and their environment are involved.

• Like illnesses that affect other parts of the body, mental illnesses are treatable and the sooner people receive proper treatment and support, the better the outcomes.

MODULE #4 - Experiences of Mental Illness and the Importance of Family Communication

• Mental illnesses are diseases that affect many aspects of a person’s life.

• With appropriate support and receipt of evidence-based treatment, most people with a mental illness can function effectively in everyday life.

• Getting help early increases the chances that a person will make a full recovery from mental illness.

• Mental illnesses, like physical illnesses, can be effectively treated.

MODULE #5 - Seeking Help and Finding Support

• There are many ways of seeking help for mental health problems and mental illnesses, and resources are available within schools and within the community.

• Knowing the signs and symptoms of mental illness helps people know how to distinguish the normal ups and downs of life from something more serious.

• Recovery from mental illness is possible when a range of supports beyond formal treatment are available.

• Everyone has mental health that can be supported and promoted, regardless of whether or not they also have a mental illness.

MODULE #6 - The Importance of Positive Mental Health

• Positive coping strategies can help everyone maintain and enhance their mental health.

• There are skills and strategies that we can learn to help us obtain and maintain good mental health.