HealthFreePrintable

Understanding Mental Health

A free health worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Understanding Mental Health

Mental health is part of everyone’s health. This worksheet is for learning, not diagnosis. You do not need to share private experiences: you may answer using the scenario or a made-up example. If something brings up worries, talk with a trusted adult. In Aotearoa New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 any time to talk with a trained counsellor. If someone is in immediate danger, call 111.

Read the scenario

Kahu and Tevita are helping at a neighbourhood bookshop after school. Over the past few weeks, Kahu has seemed quieter, stopped coming to a weekly activity, and mentioned sleeping badly. Tevita listens without pressuring Kahu to explain everything. He asks whether Kahu would like company while talking to a trusted adult. The bookshop also has a notice about a free youth group at the local community centre.

Mental health and the PIS model

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It can change over time, and it is influenced by Personal factors (such as thoughts, feelings, sleep, and health), Interpersonal factors (relationships and interactions), and Societal factors (culture, community, access to support, and media). A sign such as a change in sleep does not by itself prove that someone has a mental-health condition.

1.Choose the best description of mental health.

Only whether someone has a diagnosed condition
Emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing, which can change over time
Whether someone feels happy every day
Only how well someone gets along with friends

2.Name two changes in Kahu’s behaviour or wellbeing that could be a reason for someone to check in. Explain why these changes do not prove a diagnosis.

3.Mental health matters just as much as physical health, and both can affect a person’s overall wellbeing.

TrueFalse

4.Match each example with its PIS factor: Personal, Interpersonal, or Societal.

A. Finding it hard to sleep
B. A friend listens without judgement
C. A community youth group is available
D. Pressure from online posts about success

Societal
Personal
Societal
Interpersonal

5.Tevita wants to support Kahu. Which response is most respectful and helpful?

“You should just think positively.”
“I’ll tell everyone so they can help.”
“I’ve noticed you seem quieter lately. Would you like to talk, or would you like help finding a trusted adult?”
“If you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I can’t help.”

6.Give one realistic example of a Personal factor that could support wellbeing. You may use a made-up example.

7.Write one sentence a friend could say to show they are listening and supportive, without trying to solve everything.

8.Name one way a community, school, or service could make it easier for rangatahi to get mental-health support.

9.Kahu is not ready to talk to Tevita yet. Choose one sensible next step and explain why it could help.

10.In Aotearoa New Zealand, what number can someone call or text any time to talk with a trained counsellor? What number should be called if someone is in immediate danger?