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New
Lesson 1 of 5
  • Year 10

Mental health conditions

I can explain what a mental health condition is and the factors that may contribute to it.

Lesson 1 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10

Mental health conditions

I can explain what a mental health condition is and the factors that may contribute to it.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Feeling worried and down are normal and not signs of a mental health condition.
  2. Anxiety and depression are common types of mental health conditions.
  3. There are key ways we can spot if we are struggling with a mental health condition.
  4. There are many actions we can take to prevent mental health condition(s).
  5. There are many ways we can seek support if we feel we are experiencing a mental health condition.

Keywords

  • Anxiety - a state of unease, worry or nervousness about uncertain outcomes, often accompanied by physical sensations

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

  • Stigma - being judged or treated unfairly just because of a particular characteristic, situation or condition, like having a mental health condition

  • Depression - a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that affects how you think and feel; it can make daily activities hard and may include physical symptoms

Common misconception

People who experience mental health conditions do so because they have not looked after themselves properly.

Anyone can experience mental health conditions. There are some experiences that may influence our mental health, but it is never anyone's fault.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Mental health conditions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Be aware of your class context and be sensitive if you have young people with experiences of mental health condition(s), either themselves or people around them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
How much physical activity should teenagers aim for each day?

15 minutes
30 minutes
Correct answer: 60 minutes
90 minutes
120 minutes

Q2.
Benefits of regular exercise can include...

more interrupted sleep
increased blood pressure
increased risk of heart disease
Correct answer: improved mood and regulated emotions
decreased muscle strength

Q3.
Complete the sentence: We should avoid screens for an before we go to sleep.

Correct Answer: hour, 60 minutes

Q4.
If someone is unconscious, you should follow the ABCDE rule to check their condition. What does the B stand for?

Correct answer: breathing
balance
behaviour
back pain
bronchial

Q5.
Before beginning CPR on an unconscious patient, you should administer five initial...

calls to 'wake up' to check levels of consciousness
chest compressions
Correct answer: rescue breaths
calls to emergency services

Q6.
Match the words to the definitions.

Correct Answer:heat imbalance,a condition where the body cannot regulate its temperature properly

a condition where the body cannot regulate its temperature properly

Correct Answer:casualty,a person who is in need of medical attention

a person who is in need of medical attention

Correct Answer:infection,when harmful germs enter your body and multiply, causing illness

when harmful germs enter your body and multiply, causing illness

Correct Answer:recovery position,a safe way to lay an unconscious person on their side

a safe way to lay an unconscious person on their side

Correct Answer:choking,a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing

a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the definitions.

Correct Answer:anxiety,a state of unease, worry or nervousness

a state of unease, worry or nervousness

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

actions taken to help someone in a difficult situation

Correct Answer:stigma,being judged/treated unfairly because of a particular characteristic

being judged/treated unfairly because of a particular characteristic

Correct Answer:depression,a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest

a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest

Q2.
Complete the sentence: can experience mental ill health. There are some experiences that may influence our mental health, but it is never anyone's fault.

Correct Answer: Anyone, mental health

Q3.
Which of these could be a sign of a mental health condition?

healthy, supportive relationships with friends and family
generally feeling good about yourself
you can bounce back from setbacks and ask for help when needed
Correct answer: you isolate yourself and worry about the future
you have goals and interests that motivate you

Q4.
Preventative actions to protect mental health would not include:

keeping a feelings journal
Correct answer: increasing screen time
having a balanced diet
managing sleep routines
getting regular exercise

Q5.
Talk therapies include...

Correct answer: counselling – talking with a trained person about feelings and problems
Correct answer: group therapy – talking with others who are going through similar experiences
medication - prescribed by a trusted medical professional
Correct answer: CBT - a way to help change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours

Q6.
What does the term 'mental health' refer to?

the absence of physical illness
persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
Correct answer: the health of our minds and emotions
intelligence and academic performance
conditions like anxiety and depression