Understanding Mental Wellbeing

Understand what is meant by ‘mental health’.

• Definitions of good mental health: e.g. ‘A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her of his community’ World Health Organisation.

• ‘The ability to learn, the ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions, the ability to form and maintain good relationships with others, the ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty’ Mental Health Foundation.

• ‘Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life’. MIND.

• ‘Mental disorders comprise a broad range of problems with different symptoms. However, they are generally characterised by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others.’ World Health Organisation.

• Mental illnesses are often categorised into two broad groups: neurotic (e.g. anxiety, depression) and psychotic (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).

• Neurotic disorders relate to mood and can be seen as extreme versions of more normal emotional states. They can be triggered by a number of different factors, or a combination of factors, including:

o Psychotic disorders affect a person’s perception, the way they see the world, and affect their thoughts and judgements. These are much less common than neurotic disorders, accounting for roughly 10% of mental illness. (Psychotic disorders can be triggered by drug use particularly where there is an existing vulnerability and/or history of mental illness in the family.)

o Mental illness is the experience of symptoms which affect our ability to function effectively. Symptoms can be fluctuating and often people with a mental illness experience long periods feeling completely well. Treatment or management techniques often allow people with a mental illness to lead perfectly normal lives.

• Differences between mental illness and ‘normal’ emotional states or rational responses,
e.g.:
o depression versus sadness
o anxiety disorder versus everyday anxiety
o phobia versus fear
o bipolar disorder versus having up days and down days
o obsessive compulsive disorder and enjoying routine or liking things tidy.

• Examples:

o Sadness is a natural reaction to a situation that causes upset or pain (like a bereavement); it is temporary and over time it fades; it is not usually overwhelming so that at times, people can feel briefly happy or laugh at something funny. Depression lasts for a longer time; it is not always triggered by an external event; it is all-consuming and affects a person’s ability to function at work or in their personal lives; often it will cause suicidal thoughts.
o The main difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is the cause and the intensity of the experience.

o Normal anxiety comes and goes and is a reaction to certain events or situations. It is often a good thing; being anxious when you’re walking in a dark place late at night makes you alert to possible dangers. With an anxiety disorder, the anxiety tends to be there all or most of the time; it is irrational and impacts negatively on how people live their everyday lives.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Explain what is meant by ‘good’ mental health.

• 1.2

  Explain what is meant by mental ill-health.

• 1.3

  Explain the difference between mental illness and normal responses to difficult circumstances.

Understand how to look after own mental wellbeing.

• Ways of looking after own health including:

o physical aspects such as exercise, balanced diet, sensible drinking, avoidance of drugs, good sleep and rest

o behaviours and attitudes maintaining social contact, talking about feelings, asking for help in difficult situations, focusing on what you’re good at, accepting self as you are, having a goal and a purpose, having a sense of balance between college/work/school and leisure/friends/relationships, building a support network.

o Reasons why different strategies are effective in promoting wellbeing, e.g. physical exercise releases endorphins in the brain which make you feel good; the brain needs good nutrition to function effectively; talking about feelings helps keep things in perspective and allows other people to offer support

o Techniques and strategies: revision strategies; breathing exercises; yoga; stress management techniques such as use of stress balls; distraction techniques; visualisation techniques; relaxation techniques.

o Commonly-arising difficult situations such as exams; falling out with a friend; relationship breakdown and uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, stress, nervousness.

o Emotional resilience - the ability to: reduce feelings of pressure and cope with the stress they cause; ‘bounce back’ from negative experiences; adapt to difficult circumstances and learn from them. Emotional resilience allows us to encounter negative experiences without being overwhelmed by them.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Describe ways of looking after own mental health.

• 2.2

  Explain the positive effects of different strategies on mental wellbeing.

• 2.3

  Describe how specific strategies or techniques can be used to cope with commonly-arising difficult situations or uncomfortable feelings.

• 2.4

  Explain the importance of emotional resilience in maintaining good mental health.

Understand how to support friends and family with mental health difficulties.

• Indicators of deteriorating physical signs, e.g. poor personal hygiene; lack of attention to appearance; loss of weight.
• Indicators of behaviour signs, e.g. increased use of alcohol/drugs; self-isolating; crying; hyperactivity; changes to own ‘normal’ behaviours.
• What people say (e.g. I don’t want to carry on living; I feel worthless; I’m just a burden to everyone).
• Professional help should be sought when someone is displaying the signs of disturbance and disorientation, when you feel concern that someone’s low mood is not improving and that they are not responding to suggestions to seek help.
• Emergency help (e.g. calling 999) should be sought when someone is at risk of causing serious harm to themselves or of harming others (very rare), or of taking their own life.
• Ways to support: showing empathy, listening, suggesting services that could help, encouraging participation in activities that reduce stress etc, e.g. by inviting them to join in a football game.
• Ways to look after own wellbeing: knowing own limitations and seeking help when needed; talking to others about your feelings; maintaining friendships beyond the one with the person you’re supporting; having a social life; keeping active and eating and sleeping well.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Describe signs of deteriorating mental health.

• 3.2

  Differentiate between situations where it is appropriate to provide support and where they should seek professional or emergency help.

• 3.3

  Outline ways in which an individual can offer support to friends or family members with mental health difficulties.

• 3.4

  State ways to maintain own wellbeing while providing support to someone with mental ill-health.

Know about support for mental ill-health.

• Sources of support: school/college-based; websites; helplines; GP; A&E; community groups and networks)

• Types of support:
o information
o signposting
o listening services
o advice
o medical referral
o self-help guidance
o emergency help in crisis situations
o post-diagnosis services including peer support groups.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Identify sources of support relating to mental health.

• 4.2

  Outline the types of support available from different sources.