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 or 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:

- 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.)

- 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.

- depression versus sadness

-anxiety disorder versus everyday anxiety

-phobia versus fear

- bipolar disorder versus having up days and down days

obsessive compulsive disorder and enjoying routine or liking things tidy. 

• Examples:

- 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. 

- The main difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is the cause and the intensity of the experience. 

-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:

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

- Behaviours and attitudes maintaining social contact, talking about feelings, asking for help in different 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. 

- 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. 

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

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

- 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, including examples of practices they have themselves applied. 

• 2.3

  Describe how specific strategies or techniques can be used to cope with difficult situations or uncomfortable feelings common to people of their age, with similar life experiences, and/or in similar circumstances. 

• 2.4

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

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

• Ways of looking after own health including:

- Physical aspects such as exercise, balanced diet, sensible drinking, avoidance of drugs, good sleep and rest. 

- 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. 

- Reasons why different strategies are effective in promoting wellbeing, e.g. physical exercises 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. 

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

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

- 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

• 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:

- information

- signposting

- listening services

- advice

- medicine referral

- self help guidance

- emergency help in crisis situations

- post diagnosis services including peer support groups

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Identify sources of support relating to mental health available within own learning setting, locally and at national level. 

• 4.2

  Outline the types of support available from different sources.