Helpful Definitions
Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to their community (World Health Organization)
A mental health challenge is when:
- There is a major change in a person’s thoughts, feelings or actions
- The change interferes with a person’s ability to live their lives, and
- The interference does not go away quickly and lasts longer than typical emotions or reactions would be expected to last (MHFA)
A mental health crisis is when a person is at increased risk of harm to themselves or others. A crisis requires adult, and likely professional, intervention (MHFA). Possible crises are: suicidality, self-injury, aggression, physchosis, and panic attacks (if the student doesn’t know what’s happening).
A common experience is a developmentally appropriate behavior, set of emotions, or thoughts that many students share. For example:
