Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness – Q&A Answers

 

Section 1: Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness

Q1. Why is it important to understand mental health well-being, when it comes to mental health and mental illness?
A1. Because mental health affects how we think, feel, behave, and relate to others. Understanding it helps us notice problems early, support ourselves and others, and reduce stigma.

Q2. What are the emotions we face – positive and negative?
A2.

• Positive: happiness, love, excitement, hope.

• Negative: sadness, anger, fear, stress, anxiety.

Q3. How does mental illness change our thinking?
A3. It can cause confusion, difficulty focusing, negative or racing thoughts, and sometimes unrealistic or harmful beliefs.

Q4. How does mental illness affect our emotions, behavior, stress, distress, and how we function socially?
A4.

• Emotions: may feel very low or very high.

• Behavior: changes such as withdrawing or acting differently.

• Stress & distress: harder to cope with daily life.

• Socially: may struggle to connect with family, friends, or colleagues.

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Section 2: What is Mental Health?

Q5. What does “psychological” mean?
A5. Psychological means “to do with the mind and emotions.”

Q6. Which mental illnesses affect social well-being?
A6. Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders can affect how we connect with others.

Q7. What do the terms “how we think, feel, behave, act, react” mean?
A7. They describe different parts of our mental health:

• Think = thoughts and ideas

• Feel = emotions and moods

• Behave/act = actions we take

• React = how we respond to situations

Q8. What does stress and distress mean, and what mental illness are those signs of?
A8.

• Stress = pressure or tension from challenges.

• Distress = when stress becomes too much and harmful.

• Signs may be linked to anxiety disorders, depression, or trauma.

Q9. Are we likely to make good or bad choices and relate to people in a good or bad way if life is not going well?
A9. We are more likely to make poor choices (e.g. unhealthy coping) and have more difficulty relating positively to others.

Q10. If life is going well, are we more likely to make good or bad choices and relate well or badly to people?
A10. We are more likely to make good choices and relate positively when life feels stable and supportive.

Q11. What are examples of good and bad choices?
A11.

• Good: eating healthy foods, exercising, sleeping well.

• Bad: misusing drugs or alcohol, avoiding help, risky behaviors.

Q12. What do “problem situations” mean? When are they good or bad?
A12. Problem situations are challenges in life (family, friends, relationships, school, health, work, home).

• Good: when they help us learn and grow.

• Bad: when they overwhelm us and harm our mental health.

Q13. How do we try to help people feel better in their lives?
A13.

• Listening and showing support.

• Encouraging healthy habits.

• Helping them talk to professionals if needed.

• Building positive relationships and community support.