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Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 11

Support for mental health across our lifetime

I can describe different sources of mental health support available and explain how to access them.

Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
  • Year 11

Support for mental health across our lifetime

I can describe different sources of mental health support available and explain how to access them.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are many types of support you can get for a range of mental health needs.
  2. Early support can be available for everyday concerns, this can include talking therapies.
  3. There are mental health services that support specific needs.
  4. Recently, AI chatbots are starting to be used as mental health support, but we need to be careful when using these.
  5. More structured support may be available for long-term or severe mental illness.

Keywords

  • Support - the actions taken to help someone who is in a difficult or dangerous situation, such as providing care and seeking medical attention

  • Therapy - in this context, professional support to help people work through difficulties, improve mental health and develop coping skills

  • AI chatbot - computer software powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that simulates conversations and interacts with human users

Common misconception

Support for mental health can only be given on diagnosis, or if a person is referred by a GP.

Some support, such as talking therapies, can be accessed via self-referrals and without a diagnosis.


To help you plan your year 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Support for mental health across our lifetime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Many different types of support are discussed in this lesson, and the key takeaway is that there are a variety of services available so that people can access what they need and do not have to struggle alone.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes the connection between physical and mental health?

They are completely separate and don't affect each other.
Correct answer: They are closely linked and can influence one another.
Physical health is more important than mental health.
Mental health only affects how we think, not our bodies.

Q2.
When someone is treated unfairly because of a mental health condition, this is called ...

Correct Answer: stigma

Q3.
Which major life changes might affect someone's mental health?

only traumatic events like accidents
only events that happen to you directly
Correct answer: life stages like puberty, pregnancy or chronic illness
mental health changes only happen randomly with no cause

Q4.
Postnatal depression can begin many after giving birth.

Correct Answer: months, weeks, years

Q5.
Match each age group or life stage to a mental health factor that might affect them.

Correct Answer:teenagers,puberty and hormonal changes affecting mood

puberty and hormonal changes affecting mood

Correct Answer:new parents,postnatal depression after having a baby

postnatal depression after having a baby

Correct Answer:older adults,menopause and physical health changes

menopause and physical health changes

Q6.
Which statement about looking after our bodies and mental health is most accurate?

Good physical health always prevents mental health problems.
If you eat well and exercise, you'll never feel depressed or anxious.
Physical health and mental health are completely unrelated.
Correct answer: Looking after our bodies helps but can't always prevent low mental health.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.

Correct Answer:support,actions taken to help someone in a difficult or dangerous situation

actions taken to help someone in a difficult or dangerous situation

Correct Answer:therapy,professional support to help people improve mental health

professional support to help people improve mental health

Correct Answer:AI chatbot,computer software powered by AI that simulates conversations

computer software powered by AI that simulates conversations

Q2.
Why should AI chatbots be used with caution for mental health support?

They cost too much money to use regularly.
Correct answer: They lack human empathy.
They are only available during office hours.
They require a prescription from a doctor.
Correct answer: They lack understanding of complex emotions.

Q3.
Which statement about accessing mental health support is correct?

Correct answer: Some talking therapies can be accessed through self-referral without diagnosis.
You must have a diagnosis before getting any mental health support.
All mental health support requires a GP referral first.
Only severe mental illness qualifies for professional support.

Q4.
Which best describes the range of mental health support available?

Only doctors and hospitals can provide mental health support.
Correct answer: There are many types of support for a wide range of mental health needs.
Mental health support is limited to talking therapies only.
Support is only available for people with severe mental illness.

Q5.
Match each scenario to the type of support that might help.

Correct Answer:feeling stressed about exams,early support like talking to a teacher or counsellor

early support like talking to a teacher or counsellor

Correct Answer:ongoing depression,more structured, long-term professional support

more structured, long-term professional support

Correct Answer:family dealing with chronic illness,family support services and counselling

family support services and counselling

Correct Answer:specific eating disorder,specialist services for specific mental health conditions

specialist services for specific mental health conditions

Q6.
Which type of confidential support service is available 24/7?

Correct Answer: helplines, a helpline, Samaritans