Module 1 - Intro to MH Science, Well-being, Resiliency

Question 1

Define “well-being”

Answer 1

Well-being is an overall state of feeling comfortable, healthy, and happy. It is made up of many components, one of which is mental health.

Question 2

Define “mental health”

Answer 2

Mental health includes psychological, emotional, and social aspects of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Mental health is a prerequisite to realizing potential, being able to cope with normal life stress, and being productive at work and school.

Question 3

List three components of well-being.

Answer 3

1. Mental health
2. Physical health
3. Supportive/secure environment

Question 4

List the four aspects that make up mental health.

Answer 4

1. Realizing potential (feeling like you’re making a meaningful contribution)
2. Emotional health (ability to regulate feelings across different challenges)
3. Psychological health (how you think about things/regulate feelings)
4. Social connectedness (creating + maintaining good relationships; developing empathy)

Question 5

List the levels of the mental health spectrum (from least to most severe)

Answer 5

1. Well
2. Symptoms
3. Concerns or problems
4. Disorders or illness

Question 6

Define the “well” level of the mental health spectrum.

Answer 6

Reflected in feeling content, capable and happy. Stress and disappointment are mostly manageable. Any associated comfort short-lived. Healthy lifestyle, good psychological coping, and supportive relationships to help maintain resilience.

Question 7

Define the “symptoms” level of the mental health spectrum.

Answer 7

Experiences that can be associated with some distress (may be situational and not indicative of a problem). Symptoms may be transient and subside when challenges arise. Can also be jelped by lifestyle changes. Persistent symptoms may reflect an MH concern.

Question 8

Define the “concerns or problems” level of the mental health spectrum.

Answer 8

Persistent stressors may induce prolonged feelings of discomfort, but are not necessarily reflective of a diagnosable mental disorder. Support and problem-focused counselling can be helpful. (ie. emotional difficulty coping with the death of a loved one, or finding uni transition difficult).

Question 9

Define the “disorders, conditions, or illness” level of the mental health spectrum.

Answer 9

Mental disorders refer to clinically diagnosed illnesses that require evidence-based treatments provided by health care professionals. Clinically significant symptoms that impact day-to-day functioning.

Question 10

T/F: You may not have a diagnosable mental illness, but you could be experiencing significant distress.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

T/F: You cannot have a diagnosed mental illness and experiencing positive well-being at the same time

Answer 11

False

Question 12

List the factors that are contributing to the increasing demand for mental health services among uni students.

Answer 12

• At risk age (uni transition @ same time as accelerated brain growth)
• Transition period (encountering new academic, financial, social stressors)
• Vulnerable brain (emergent adult brain = vulnerable to stressful environment)
• Lacking support (resources are limited)
• Decrease in stigma (more students are reporting problems + seeking care)

Question 13

Wellbeing and mental health can be sorted into 7 goals… what are they?

Answer 13

1. Community
2. Social
3. Recreational
4. Career
5. Academic
6. Relationships
7. Cultural

Question 14

Define “cognition”

Answer 14

The mental processes involved in thinking, decision-making, learning, and comprehension.

Question 15

Define “self-efficacy”

Answer 15

The extent to which someone believes in their ability to achieve a certain outcome.

Question 16

What are the 5 important + related concepts to consider when talking about mental health?

Answer 16

1. Risk factors
2. Protective factors
3. Stressors
4. Resilience
5. Signs and symptoms

Question 17

What is a “risk factor”? List examples.

Answer 17

A biological, pyshc. or socio. characteristic that is associated with higher likelihood of a negative outcome.

• Not getting enough sleep
• Using recreational drugs
• Not having a reliable support
• Having prior history of a mental health condition
• Overthinking + avoidance

Question 18

What are “protective factors”? List examples

Answer 18

A characteristic that lowers the likelihood of negative outcomes/reduces a risk factor’s impact.

• Having a reliable support network
• Developing a good study-life balance
• Feeling included
• Positive thinking, journaling, talking

Question 19

What are “stressors”? List examples

Answer 19

A person, place or situation that causes a state of strain or tension. Stress = psych respons to a stressor

• Upcoming test
• Relationship problems

Question 20

Describe the “psychodynamic model” on mental disorders.

Answer 20

(Late 19th/early 20th century - dev. Sigmund Freud)

Proposes that the processes of the mind involve the interplay of psychological forces. Distress arises because the conscious interpretation of these forces masks their true unconscious origin. The relationship with the therapist is seen as key to resolving.

Question 21

Describe the “behavioural model” on mental disorders.

Answer 21

(1950s - Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner)

How you behave day-to-day is ‘conditioned’ due to the reinforcement you receive for your actions. A harmless stimulus has been linked to extreme fear (maladaptive learning has taken place)

Question 22

Define “behaviour therapy” : which historical theory/theories does it solve?

Answer 22

Behaviour therapy aims to reverse anxiety and phobias by introducing a less negative association with a harmless stimulus. It focuses on overcoming avoidance (Behavioural model; cognitive model)

Question 23

Define “medical/disease model” on mental disorders.

Answer 23

(Based on work of Aristotle, Galen and Hippocrates)

Views problems of mental functioning from a disease perspective with a biological basis at the core. Emphasizes recovery through somatic treatment.

Question 24

Define “cognitive model” on mental disorders.

Answer 24

Many major contributors!

Proposes that mental disorders are the result of errors in thinking or biases. Perspectives of yourself and the world are a result of your thinking, which can cause upset and mental disorders.

Question 25

Define “biopsychosocial model” on mental disorders.

Answer 25

(Introduced by George L. Engel - 1977)

Emphasizes interacting roles between biology and psychological processes. Modern use of this model emphasizes the three factors (biology, psych., social) are not always equal in their role in determining mental illness

Question 26

What alternative is there to the biophyschosocial model?

Answer 26

Osler medical humanist model

Question 27

Define “social and cultural models” on mental disorders.

Answer 27

Focuses on broader holistic community-based influences on mental health. Emphasizes providing support through addressing contributing factors.

Question 28

Define “distal”. List examples of distal risk factors.

Answer 28

A factor that represents an indirect cause or underlying vulnerability for a particular condition.

• Family history
• Past emotional support
• Safe/nurturing env (or lack thereof)
• Peer bullying

Question 29

Define “proximal”. List examples of proximal risk factors.

Answer 29

A factor that represents a direct cause or immediate vulnerability for a particular condition.

• Sleep problems
• Hard substance abuse
• Lack of regular exercise
• Reduced social support
• Low self-esteem