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Mental Health Awareness

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Mental Health Awareness

Explore the short scenario and answer each question. You can use the fictional situation rather than sharing anything personal. There is no need to disclose private experiences.

Read the scenario

Mere has several tests coming up and has had a disagreement with a friend. She feels tense, finds it hard to concentrate and has been turning down invitations. She tells her cousin, “I don’t know where to start.” Her cousin listens, asks what would feel helpful, and suggests they choose one small next step together. Mere decides to talk with a trusted adult and take a short walk after school. Mental health is part of overall wellbeing. It can change over time and is influenced by many things. Getting support is a strength; friends can listen, but they do not have to solve everything.

Understand mental health and hauora

1.Choose the most accurate description of mental health.

Only whether someone has a mental illness
How we think, feel and respond to everyday life; it can change over time
The same thing as physical fitness
Something that matters only when a person is having a hard time

2.Match each dimension of hauora with the example that best fits it. The dimensions are connected, so some examples may affect more than one.

Taha hinengaro — mental and emotional wellbeing
Taha tinana — physical wellbeing
Taha whānau — social wellbeing
Taha wairua — spiritual wellbeing

Feeling supported by friends, whānau or community
Noticing worry and finding a way to manage it
Getting enough rest and moving your body
Feeling connected to values, identity, beliefs or purpose

3.Name two changes in Mere’s behaviour or feelings that suggest she may be under pressure. These signs do not prove a diagnosis.

4.True or false: Mental health is only important when someone is experiencing a serious problem.

TrueFalse

Choose helpful ways to respond

5.A friend says, “I feel overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do.” Which response is most helpful?

“You’re overreacting. Just forget about it.”
“That sounds like a lot. Would you like me to listen, or help you find someone to talk to?”
“I’ll keep this secret no matter what, even if you might not be safe.”
“Here’s what you have to do.”

6.For each action, write H for generally helpful, U for generally unhelpful, or D for depends on the person and situation: a) taking a short walk; b) telling someone to “snap out of it”; c) talking with a trusted adult; d) taking a break from a stressful activity.

7.Mere wants to feel less overwhelmed. Suggest one small, realistic step she could take today and one person or service she could ask for support.

8.Complete the sentence: A friend can listen and encourage someone to get support, but they are not responsible for .

Find support in Aotearoa New Zealand

If someone feels unsafe or at immediate risk, tell a trusted adult and call 111. For mental health or wellbeing support in New Zealand, call or text 1737 at any time to talk with a trained counsellor. A school counsellor, GP, trusted teacher, or whānau member can also help someone work out next steps.

9.Someone wants to talk to a trained counsellor about how they are feeling, but there is no immediate danger. Which New Zealand service can they call or text at any time?

10.In two or three sentences, explain why talking with a trusted person can be a useful step when someone is struggling.