Understanding Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and emotional health is the ability to deal in a reasonable way with the stresses and changes of daily life.

People who are in good mental and emotional health usually:

Have a positive attitude and outlook on life. Accept their limitations and set realistic goals. Have a positive view of themselves and others.

ME vs MYSELF - - mental and emotional health

Good mental and emotional health is essential to good overall

wellness. Many “me vs myself” conflicts begin because of

poor health in one of these areas:

Expressions of feelings

Coping skills

Stress management

Anger control

Self concept/self esteem

Personality

Understanding Who You Are

Good mental and emotional health means:

Understanding and accepting yourself. Recognizing your strengths and working

towards improving your weaknesses. Recognizing that you are a unique individual.

The teen brain

The pre-frontal cortex is responsible

for long term decision making and

doesn’t finishing maturing tunil the

mid 20’s. Therefore, most

decisions teens make, unless they

are taught decision making skills

are based on emotions

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality

Your characteristics make you different from everyone else and form your personality

Your personality plays a key role in your mental and emotional health. It is unique and makes you who you are.

The three most important factors that influence your personality are:

Heredity, relationships and Environment in which you grow up

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality Understanding Self-Concept

The view that you have of yourself is called your self-concept.

Healthy self concept is when a teen is able to accurately be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and try to improve them.

Some teens, however, focus only on what they see as their faults.

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality

Self Esteem is one factor that is closely related to your self-concept.

The way you feel about your body, your mind, your emotions, and your interactions with others are all part of your self-esteem.

High self-esteem enhances self-confidence whereas low self esteem causes depression and other mental health issues

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality Benefits of healthy Self-Esteem

Respecting your health and the health of others

Showing responsibility

Having self-confidence

Seeing the positive side

Accepting constructive feedback

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality

People with high self-esteem are more likely to practice good health habits and avoid harmful behaviors.

People with low self esteem are more likely to try drugs and make other poor, un-healthy and risky behaviors in order to fit in or hid their feelings

You can work to improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality

To build your self-esteem and self-confidence:

Set realistic goals for yourself. Recognize your strengths. Ask for help when you need it. Learn to accept constructive feedback. Learn from mistakes and failures, but don’t dwell on

them. Develop positive character traits.

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality

Respect people’s individual differences by:

Trying to avoid judging people according to your own culture, environment, age, and background.

Recognizing the values that have been formed by people’s families, personal experiences, and other sources.

Appreciating unique qualities in individuals. Consider the other person’s views and

feelings when making a decision that might affect them.

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality : Attitudes and Behavior

Your attitudes and behavior affect your mental and emotional health.

Positive attitudes lead you to practice behaviors that promote your health.

Negative thoughts and feelings may lead you to behave in ways that harm your mental and emotional health.

Self Concept, Self Esteem and Personality Creating a Positive Cycle

Changing Thoughts Now that she has experienced success, she is more likely to experiment with other new activities.

Changing Feelings Her efforts earn her encouragement from others, so she feels more confident.

Changing Behavior This teen has never worked with clay before. Although she feels uncertain about her ability, she decides to give it a try.

Understanding Your Emotions and Feelings

Emotions cause feelings but are often combined and the terms used inter-changeably —

They effect every aspect of your personality and all areas of PISES/wellness

Although you can’t stop yourself from feeling emotions, you can figure out healthy ways to deal with and express them.

Understanding Your Emotions and Feelings

To be able to manage and express emotions in positive ways, you need to recognize what you feel.

Although you can often identify emotions, you may sometimes find that many different emotions are tangled up together.

Expressing Your Emotions and Feelings

Everyone reacts differently to certain situations.

Some people have no difficulty talking about their feelings.

Others may reveal their emotions in a subtle way through their body language.

Others act our violently towards others

No matter how you have been taught to manage your emotions, you can learn to express them in healthy ways.

Expressing Your Emotions and Feelings : Dealing with Fear and Anger

If not managed effectively, fear and anger can lead to harmful behaviors.

To manage fear, try the following:

Talk about it. Laugh. Relax. Plan ahead of time how you will deal with a

situation that frightens you.

Expressing Your Emotions and Feelings : Dealing with Fear and Anger

To handle anger in a healthful way:

Take a deep breath and calm down or “take a break”.

Focus on what made you angry, and think of how to express your true feelings.

If you are angry with someone, calmly tell the person how you feel.

If you are angry with a situation, talk it over with a trusted adult, or with a friend.

Use other anger control techniques such as exercise, sustained deep breathing, writing about it, etc.

Coping with Change

Everyone experiences change – it is a part of life.

Although most changes have positive results, each one involves some type of loss.

Sometimes the loss causes you to feel grief or sorrow.

Coping with Change (cont’d.)

Emotional and physical reactions involved in the grieving process include the following:

Shock and denial Anger and resentment Hurt Inadequacy Fear and anxiety Guilt Depression Physical symptoms Acceptance

Avoiding Unhealthful Behaviors

When teens become confused by their emotions, they may deal with their feelings in unhealthful ways.

These unhealthful behaviors can damage physical, mental/emotional, and social health.

Avoiding Unhealthful Behaviors (cont’d.)

Coping strategies can help you maintain a positive attitude when dealing with strong emotions.

Writing a journal can help you figure out what you feel and why.

Exercising or talking to a friend can help you blow off steam or combat boredom.

Doing volunteer work or taking up a new hobby can help you redirect your emotion into positive activities.