🧠 Easy Read Mental Health Module
Levels 1 & 2 – Awareness, Understanding, Support
This Easy Read module is designed for:
Students
Disabled people and people with additional needs
Parents and carers
Schools, colleges, training providers
Workplace awareness and refresher training
The module uses simple language, clear structure, and supportive explanations.
📘 Level 1 – Understanding Mental Health (The Basics)
1. What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is about how we:
Think
Feel
React
Behave
Cope with life
Everyone has mental health. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Mental health can change over time.
2. Mental Health Is a Continuum
Mental health is not fixed. It can move along a line:
Good mental health
Struggling mental health
Mental illness
A person can move up and down this line at different times in their life.
3. Everyday Problems That Affect Mental Health
Mental health can be affected by everyday life problems such as:
Money worries
Housing problems
Work or college stress
Bullying
Family arguments
Parents separating or divorcing
Being a single-parent family
These situations are hard for anyone. They may be harder for children and disabled people to understand.
4. Children, Families, and Mental Health
Children may struggle when:
Parents argue or separate
Routines change
They are bullied at school
Children with special educational needs or disabilities may:
Take longer to understand changes
Need extra reassurance
Need information explained clearly and more than once
5. Stress and Mental Health
Stress happens when:
The mind does not switch off
There is too much to think about
Life feels overwhelming
Long-term stress can affect:
Sleep
Mood
Concentration
Physical health
Things that help:
Talking to someone you trust
Taking breaks
Doing things you enjoy
Getting enough rest
Level 1 – Easy Read Questions
What is mental health?
Does everyone have mental health?
Name one life problem that can affect mental health.
Why might change be harder for some children?
Name one thing that can help when someone feels stressed.
📗 Level 2 – Mental Illness, Therapy, and Support
6. What Is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is:
A health condition
Something that affects the mind
It can affect:
Thoughts
Feelings
Behaviour
Daily life
Mental illness is not a personal failure.
7. Mental Health and Disability
Disabled people may rely on support more often. This does not mean they have no independence.
When support is missing or removed, people may feel:
Hopeless
Guilty
Like a burden
These feelings can harm mental health.
8. Common Groups of Mental Illness (Simple List)
Depression and anxiety disorders
Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Personality disorders (e.g. BPD)
Psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia)
Trauma-related disorders (PTSD)
Neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, autism)
Substance-related disorders
This is a simplified list. Professionals use detailed manuals for diagnosis.
9. Types of Therapy (Easy Read)
CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Helps change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Used for anxiety and depression.
DBT – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Helps with strong emotions and relationships. Often used for BPD.
EMDR Helps people process trauma safely. Often used for PTSD.
Supportive Therapy Offers listening, encouragement, and coping support.
Different therapies help different people.
10. Medication (Easy Read Overview)
Medication may help some people. Only doctors can prescribe medication.
Examples include:
Antidepressants
Mood stabilisers
Antipsychotics
Sleep medication (short-term)
Medication works best alongside support and therapy.
Never stop medication without medical advice.
11. Getting Support
Support can include:
Talking to a trusted person
Counselling or therapy
Peer support groups
Community mental health services
Medication (if needed)
Support needs can change over time.
Level 2 – Easy Read Questions
What is mental illness?
Name one group of mental illness.
What does therapy help people do?
Who can prescribe medication?
Why is support important?
🌍 Support and Helplines (By Age Group)
👶 Children (Under 12)
Children may need support with:
Bullying
Family changes
Anxiety
Behaviour or emotional distress
UK
YoungMinds Parents Helpline – 0808 802 5544
NHS Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS)
USA
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (youth support)
Local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS equivalent)
Australia
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Worldwide
Local health services
School-based counselling services
🧑 Teenagers and Young People
Teenagers may struggle with:
School or college pressure
Identity and self-esteem
Bullying or social media
Family breakdown
UK
YoungMinds
Shout – Text 85258
NHS CYPMHS
USA
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Teen Line (where available)
Australia
headspace centres
Kids Helpline
Worldwide
Youth mental health charities
Online youth counselling services
👩 Adults
Adults may experience mental health difficulties related to:
Work stress
Money or housing worries
Relationships
Disability or health conditions
UK
NHS Talking Therapies
Samaritans – 116 123
Mind
USA
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA Helpline – 1-800-662-4357
Australia
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Worldwide
Local mental health services
International charities
👴 Older Adults and Elderly People
Older adults may face:
Loneliness or isolation
Bereavement
Dementia-related stress
Physical health decline
UK
Age UK
NHS mental health services
USA
Area Agencies on Aging
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Australia
Beyond Blue (older adults)
Lifeline
Worldwide
Community health services
Age-related support organisations
⚠️ Important Message
Mental health affects all ages
Support should be age-appropriate
Mental illness is not a weakness
Asking for help is a strength
This module is for education only. It is not medical advice.
All done 😊
I’ve now added age-appropriate mental health services to the module, clearly broken down by:
👶 Children
🧑 Teenagers & young people
👩 Adults
👴 Older adults / elderly people
…and for UK, USA, Australia, and worldwide 🌍
Why this is really strong
✔️ Shows that mental health support changes across the lifespan
✔️ Makes it clear children, SEND learners, and older adults need different services
✔️ Very suitable for:
Colleges & training
Parents & carers
Disability awareness
Workplace wellbeing
Websites and public education
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