Common
Mental
Health
Conditions
Understanding
Symptoms and
Stories
What is Mental Health?
• Mental health means how
we think, feel, and act
every day.
• Just like physical health,
mental health can be
strong or weak.
• Sometimes people need
help with their mental
health.
Risk Factors for Mental Health
• Family conflict, neglect, or
abuse
• Bullying, peer rejection, or
social isolation.
• Poverty and unstable living
conditions.
• Exposure to violence or
substance abuse
• Academic pressure and
learning difficulties
• Stigma around mental health
Protective Factors for Mental Health
• Strong family and caregiver
support
• Positive peer relationships and
friendships.
• Safe and stable home
environment.
• Good coping and problem-
solving skills.
• Access to mental health
services and school support.
• Involvement in sports, arts, and
community activities
Depression: Case Story
• Meet Amina:
• She feels sad most days.
• She has little energy and
doesn’t enjoy her hobbies.
• She has trouble sleeping and
eating.
• Let’s repeat symptoms aloud
together (sadness, low
energy, trouble sleeping).
Anxiety: Case Story
• Meet James:
• He worries a lot about
school and friends.
• His heart races and he feels
tense often.
• Sometimes he has trouble
breathing or feels dizzy.
• Lets repeat symptoms
aloud (worry, racing heart,
tension)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Case Story
• Meet Grace:
• After a scary event, she has
bad memories and
nightmares.
• Loud noises make her jump
or feel scared.
• She avoids places that
remind her of the event.
• Lets repeat these
symptoms aloud (bad
memories, nightmares,
avoidance).
Bipolar Disorder: Case Story
• Meet David
• Sometimes he feels very
happy and full of energy.
• Other times, he feels very
sad and tired.
• His moods change quickly
and affect his academics
and relationships.
• Lets repeat these
symptoms aloud (high
energy, sadness, mood
changes).
Schizophrenia: Case Story
• Meet Sarah:
• She sometimes hears voices
no one else can hear.
• She believes things others
don’t believe.
• She finds it hard to organize
her thoughts.
• Lets repeat these
symptoms aloud (hearing
voices, unusual beliefs,
confused thinking).
Substance Use problems: Case Story
• Meet Mike:
• He uses alcohol or drugs often.
• He finds it hard to stop even
when he wants to.
• His relationships and school
work suffer because of this.
• Has been expelled from different
schools
• He is thinking about dropping
out of school.
• Lets repeat these symptoms
aloud (frequent use, loss of
control, problems at work).
Getting Help & Support
• It’s okay to ask for help.
• Talk to trusted people like
family, friends, teachers,
or counselors.
• Treatment can include
counselling, medicine, or
support groups or
organisations.
Summary & Group Review
• Mental health conditions
are common and
treatable.
• Recognize symptoms:
sadness, worry, mood
changes, unusual
thoughts, etc
• Support and
understanding make a big
difference.
• Lets call out symptoms
that you remember.
