Mental Health and Well Being
SMART Goal #2:
By the end of services, the client will be able to identify at least 3 coping strategies to address depression and anxiety.
Objectives:
- Learn what coping strategies are
- Discuss when and how to use coping strategies
Agenda: 50 minutes with a 10-minute break
- Regroup and get settled in -5 minutes
- Discuss what it means to be mentally well- 8 minutes
- Mental health vs mental illness- 10 minutes
- Opening up/sharing -10 minutes
- Break- 10 minutes
- Activity- 11 minutes
- Closing, questions, comments- 6 minutes
Lesson plan:
What does it mean to be mentally-well lecture
Definition of mental well-being: in general, is the state of thriving in various areas of life, such as in relationships, at work, play, and more, despite ups and downs. It’s the knowledge that we are separate from our problems and the belief that we can handle those problems.
Mentally-Well traits:
- Self-acceptance
- Sense of self as part of something greater
- Sense of self as independent rather than dependent on others for identity or happiness
- Knowing and using our unique character strengths
- Accurate perception of reality, knowing that we can’t mind-read and that our thoughts aren’t always true
- The desire for continued growth
- Thriving in the face of adversity (emotional resilience)
- Having and pursuing interests
- Knowing and remaining true to values
- Maintaining emotionally healthy relationships
- Optimism (hope—the mindset that things can improve)
- Happiness that comes from within rather than being dependent on external conditions
- Determination
- Action (in contrast to a passive mindset and lifestyle, waiting for things to get better)
Do you feel as if you practice being mentally well?
Do you feel as if that definition truly resembles what it means to be mentally well? If not, what do you think it means?
Do you feel as if you currently practice any of these traits? If so, do they overall help you?
Mental Health VS Mental Illness:
Mental health definition: Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Mental illness definition: Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.
Does anyone feel comfortable enough to share if they have experienced any mental health diagnoses? If so, how does it make you feel and what do you do to cope?
Activity:
Purpose in Life: Fold the paper into three sections. In the first section, list your gifts, strengths, and talents, including abilities and personal qualities. In the third section, list problems in the world that are concerning to you, such as child abuse, animal abuse, unemployment, etc. In the middle section, use creativity to devise at least three ways to use your gifts in the first section to solve problems in the third section. Draw and color an image of one of these ideas as if it has already happened and succeeded in solving the problem.
Closing, questions, and comments:
Have everyone go around the room and share:
- What do you feel you can take away from this session?
- Does anyone have any remaining thoughts or comments they would like to share before the session ends?
Materials: Whiteboard, dry erase marker, paper, pens
References:
Peterson, T. J. (n.d.). What is mental wellbeing? definition and examples. HealthyPlace. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.healthyplace.com/self-help/self-help-information/what-mental-wellbeing-definition-and-examples
What is mental illness? Psychiatry.org – What is Mental Illness? (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness