Ask the group to share what things might positively and negatively affect their wellbeing.

If they are offering a lot of negative examples, make sure to encourage them to also think of what also helps their wellbeing – examples could be seeing friends, sports, family pets, etc. Knowing what things can help our mental health are especially important tools to have when things are out of our control e.g coronavirus lockdown

Optional extra question: How might we recognise when our wellbeing is slipping down the scale? Examples might be poor sleeping, being irritable, withdrawing from peers or usual activities etc. This would be the time for us to do some of the things that help our wellbeing

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Some common mental health problems

Depression – Prolonged low mood, hopelessness, loss of energy

Anxiety disorders – Sense of worry, panic, dread which is affecting someone’s ability to live their life as usual

Eating disorders – May have an unrealistic view of their body shape and weight. Not just about dieting – often low self esteem or a lack of control over other things

Self harm – Often a way of coping with emotional difficulties by relieving unbearable tension.

Psychosis – Change of reality. Sometimes hearing voices and seeing things that others don’t see/hear. May experience delusions and paranoia

Bipolar Disorder – Likely to experience extreme swings, from low mood (depression) to periods of overactive behaviour (mania)

OCD – Typically has two sides, obsessions and compulsions