Mental Health and

Well-Being in Middle
and Late Adolescence
How do you stay
mentally healthy?
CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health. It’s the way your thoughts, feelings,
and behaviors affect your life.
It is not uncommon for teenagers to develop
problems with their mental health.
young people ignore mental health problems
thinking they will “snap out of it,” or that they are
something to be ashamed of.
Strategies for Becoming a Critical Viewer of the Media
When we effectively recognize and analyze the media
messages that influence us, we remember that the media’s
definitions of beauty and success do not have to define our
self-image or potential.
media messages have been carefully crafted
convince you to buy or support a specific product or
service
create their message based on what they think you will
want to see and what will affect you
choose to use a filter that helps us understand
each student is left with strategies about how to strengthen
themselves against these messages
 PORTFOLIO OUTPUT 2
Media Influences (How ads affected my self-esteem)
Name at least 3 ads you see on youtube or on TV. Get the
link and paste it in the document
Answer the questions after:
What messages do these ads give to middle adolescents
like you?
How have these ads affected your lifestyle, self-esteem,
and values?
How has this lesson changed your perception about ads?

Deadline: oCT. 24
 Mental Health and
Well-Being in Middle
and Late Adolescence
SELF ESTEEM AND BODY ESTEEM
As your body changes, so does your image of yourself
Self-esteem is all about how much you feel you are
worth — and how much you feel other people value you
Body image is how you view your physical self
WHAT INFLUENCES A PERSON’S SELF-ESTEEM
Puberty and Development
These changes, combined with wanting to feel accepted by
our friends, means it can be tempting to compare ourselves
Media Images and Other Outside Influences
might start to compare ourselves with other people or
media images
Families and School
Family members might struggle with their own body image
or criticize their kids' looks
People also may experience negative comments and hurtful
teasing about the way they look from classmates and peers
COMMON EATING DISORDERS
Anorexia
have a real fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their
body size and shape
restrict their food intake by dieting, fasting, or excessive
exercise
Bulimia
people might binge eat (eat to excess) and then try to
compensate in extreme ways
typically feel powerless to stop the eating and can only stop
once they're too full to eat any more
 PORTFOLIO OUTPUT 3
Research on Anxiety Disorders
Among the mental health challenges discussed in
class, two of the most common among middle
adolescents are anxiety disorders and depression.

Deadline: NOV. 5
 PORTFOLIO OUTPUT 3
Research on Anxiety Disorders
Look for answers to the following: (SUBMIT IN HARDCOPY)
What are anxiety disorders?
Who gets anxiety disorders and how common are they?
Describe some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders.
List and briefly explain some of the main types of anxiety
disorders.
What type of treatment is available for people
experiencing anxiety disorders?
What other kinds of support can help a person with
anxiety disorders recover?
Deadline: NOV. 5
SUPPORT STRATEGIES/COMMUNITY MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES
Encourage the person to seek help and support from an adult
Spend time with the person, and listen to his/her concerns
Be hopeful; help them feel like their life will get better
Stand by them. Invite your friend to things that you are doing
Learn as much as you can about mental illness so that you
understand what is going on for them
Talk to someone about what is happening. This will help you be
a better support person
Put the person’s life before your friendship
HELP HOW-TO’S
First Step, Reach Out To People You Trust
Sometimes people don’t get the help they need because
they don’t know where to turn
Healing is a combination of helping yourself and letting
others help you
Find caring people in your life who can help you
Research shows that males are more reluctant to look for
help and receive it than females are
HELP HOW-TO’S
Second Step, Take Action
The more you know, the easier it is - reading and
educating yourself about mental health is a step already
Nothing is worse than nothing - untreated problems
often continue and become worse, and new problems
may occur
It’s All in the Attitude - matter of changing your mind
about mental health and changing the way you react to
mental health problems
HELP HOW-TO’S
Here are some important reminders:
Mental health is as important as physical health
Mental health problems are real, and they deserve to be
treated
No one is to blame for mental health problems
Mental health problems are not a sign of weakness
Whether you’re male or female, it’s ok to ask for help and
get it
There’s hope
HEALTHY EATING AND MENTAL HEALTH
Healthy eating nourishes the body, including the
brain, and supports mental health through
Improved overall health and vitality
Increased ability to concentrate
Reduced irritability and mood swings
Lowered risk of mental illness
Healthy eating may be a factor in lowered risk of
depression and improved ability to deal with stress
and anxiety
Physical Activity and Mental Health
physical activity can make you feel good physically
and build confidence
provide an opportunity to connect with others and
develop supportive relationships
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Getting physically active may:
Make you feel better physically and feel better about
yourself
Improve your mood
Improve self-esteem
Reduce physical reactions to stress
Help you sleep better
Give you more energy
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Physical activity may be effective in preventing or
reducing symptoms associated with anxiety and
depression
Some theories propose that physical activity:
Increases body temperature, thus relaxing muscle tension
Releases feel-good chemicals that improve mood
Offers a “time-out” from worries and depressing thoughts
Increases self-confidence, feeling of competence and a
sense of mastery
Sleep and Mental Health
Most teens need 9-11 hours of sleep every night.
Problems from not being fully rested include:
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating and learning
Don’t move information from short-term to long-term
memory as well
Falling asleep in class
Mood swings and behavior problems
More prone to depression and accidents
Sleep and Mental Health
Stay away from stimulants in the evening. These delay sleep
and increase night waking
Do not go to bed hungry, have a light snack
Just do not have electronics in the bedroom
Disengage from any stimulating activities for at least 30
minutes prior to bedtime
Taking a warm bath or shower helps prepare the body for
sleep
If you are not feeling rested and functioning at your best
most days, talk to your parents
Try a cup of hot milk
 PORTFOLIO OUTPUT 4
SLEEP AND BEDTIME ACTIVITIES DIARY
Write in the rows below your activities before you go
to sleep, starting on the day in the week that you
begin with: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Record your activities during the sembreak which is
from Oct. 27 (Su) to Nov. 2 (Sa).

Deadline: NOV. 5
 PORTFOLIO OUTPUT 4
SLEEP AND BEDTIME ACTIVITIES DIARY

Did this affect what time

you went to sleep?
Day Time went to sleep What was I doing before I went to bed?

Yes No

Sunday

Saturday

Deadline: NOV. 5
 Mental Health and
Well-Being in Middle
and Late Adolescence