In this 3 part lesson, we’re going to go over key principles for maintaining positive mental health and how to develop resilience.
“We don’t experience life, we experience the life we focus on. Whatever you focus on you’ll feel. Change your focus and you will change the way you feel.”
Tony Robbins
Growing your inner resilience is like protecting and nurturing a sapling to withstand the changing seasons and grow into a sturdy tree. Challenges, much like shifting seasons, are unavoidable, yet they contain the potential for personal transformation and triumph.
Mental resilience equips individuals with the tools to navigate through difficult circumstances with greater ease and adaptability. Like tending to a garden, growing mental resilience involves deliberate practices and habits. This may include mindfulness or meditation to stay present and grounded, cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thought patterns, or fostering a growth mindset that sees setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures.
As part of this element lesson you will be:
- Challenged to build your own mental resilience.
- Inspired to reflect on what mental health means to you.
- Tasked to take action towards building your own and/or someone else’s Mental Health.
Key questions:
- Why do we feel negative emotions?
- How can we channel our emotions effectively to manage stress and maintain positive mental wellbeing?
- What does mental health mean to you?
Reflect on individually or discuss these with your connections before diving into the lesson, enjoy!
Want to learn more?
Let’s get into it!
The Importance of Mental Health
Increasing awareness of Mental Health helps reduce stigma by promoting empathy and understanding, leading to more supportive communities.
I’m sure we all agree that we don’t always share when we need help, and as a result, increased understanding and removing judgement when people need time is important. Additionally, knowledge of mental health enhances relationships by facilitating open communication and support for loved ones experiencing challenges.
For yourself, learning coping strategies and resilience-building techniques equips you to navigate life’s ups and downs effectively, contributing to your overall well-being and to your likelihood of being successful. Ultimately, learning about mental health and understanding your own mental health (your brain power and your emotions), empowers you to advocate for yourself, adopt preventive measures, and support others who may be struggling.
This learning is designed to promote inclusivity, and wider understanding can inform public health initiatives, and address broader societal concerns related to mental illness and well-being. Ultimately, by prioritising mental health education, we create healthier, more supportive environments where everyone’s well-being is valued and respected.
Task One
Take 5-10 minutes to write down as many different emotions as you can and their opposites.
Example: Rage – Peace, Disgust – Delight etc.
If you want to level it up, add in what may cause these emotions.
Include as much or as little detail as you need
Example: I feel rage when I observe injustice happening or I am not given the opportunity to share my side of what happens.
I feel peace when I am alone and able to meditate, which helps me let go of rage at things outside my control.
Emotions help us communicate with others as well as to understand ourselves. Through understanding that experiencing a range of emotions is normal and acknowledging that each one can be felt without dictating our actions is important so that we consciously examine and recognise when to make decisions and how to respond to emotional stimuli.
If we know the causes of our emotions and can name them, we can also actively create situations that will increase our positive mental health, this will help us to be more resilient when facing unknown or difficult situations.
Why is Mental Health an Important Topic?
Here is what this course creator, Kat, had to say on this topic…
Here is what Edventurous Co-Founder Lewis, had to say on this topic…
Addressing Common Misconceptions
You probably already possess various preconceptions, knowledge, and beliefs about mental health. There are some common misconceptions though. Put your current knowledge to the test with the following questions by considering if you feel they are true or false.
Absolutely! Well done. Mental health is a legitimate health condition that requires a thoughtful response, it is not something that should be dismissed simply as a ‘weakness’ or ‘failure’ and to do so can be very dangerous.
Mental health is a legitimate health condition that requires a thoughtful response, it is not something that should be dismissed simply as a ‘weakness’ or ‘failure’ and to do so can be very dangerous.
Absolutely! Well done. Each year more and more disorders are being recognised by medical professionals as we continue to better understand the complexity of the human condition. Whilst there may be more common mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, there is a vast range of them.
Each year more and more disorders are being recognised by medical professionals as we continue to better understand the complexity of the human condition. Whilst there may be more common mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, there is a vast range of them.
Absolutely! Well done. Some of you will bring your own personal experiences with mental health challenges, either firsthand or through friends, family members, or colleagues. These experiences shape your attitudes and perceptions. Similarly cultural beliefs and norms can influence how mental health is perceived and addressed within different communities. You may know and understand that mental health can significantly impact daily functioning, including relationships, work, and overall well-being, and may or may not have experience of this.
Some of you will bring your own personal experiences with mental health challenges, either firsthand or through friends, family members, or colleagues. These experiences shape your attitudes and perceptions. Similarly cultural beliefs and norms can influence how mental health is perceived and addressed within different communities. You may know and understand that mental health can significantly impact daily functioning, including relationships, work, and overall well-being, and may or may not have experience of this. Therefore, it is vital to consider a range of personal experiences when it comes to mental health.
Absolutely! Well done. You may have different attitudes towards seeking help for mental health concerns. Some may feel comfortable seeking support from mental health professionals, while others may hesitate due to stigma, fear, or lack of resources. Everyone will have seen portrayals of mental health in media, entertainment, and popular culture which shape perceptions and attitudes. It is likely you have been exposed to various depictions of mental illness, both accurate and sensationalised. Ultimately, if you need support you need to seek it. There is multiple ways of doing this.
You may have different attitudes towards seeking help for mental health concerns. Some may feel comfortable seeking support from mental health professionals, while others may hesitate due to stigma, fear, or lack of resources. Everyone will have seen portrayals of mental health in media, entertainment, and popular culture which shape perceptions and attitudes. It is likely you have been exposed to various depictions of mental illness, both accurate and sensationalised. Ultimately, if you need support you need to seek it. There is multiple ways of doing this.
Continue your learning by going deeper into what mental health is, in the lesson linked below.