Duration: 18:53 Rating: PG
This programme aims to examine the mental health issues relevant to young people. It aims to inform youth of the possible triggers of mental illnesses and the support networks that they can connect with. It educates teenagers on how they can promote good mental health personally, while changing perspectives and reducing the stigma of it.
The teenage guide to stress by 
Fighting Invisible Tigers by 
When Nothing Matters Anymore by 
Understanding anxiety by 
Treasure Yourself by 
Living with a black dog by Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.
It’s simply not possible to pinpoint the exact cause of any particular mental illness, as mental illness is generally believed to involve a combination of factors that might include some of the following:
Biological factors: Someone with a history of mental illness in their family has a higher chance of developing mental health issues, which means that genetics most likely plays a role. Hormonal balance is another biological factor that is known to impact on our mental health.
Early life events: Traumatic events that happen at an early age, such as neglect or abuse, can have a strong influence on our mental health later in life.
Recent life events: Current events can affect our mental health as well, such as persistent stress from study or work, or the loss of a loved one.
Psychological factors: Mental illnesses are also influenced by our thoughts and feelings, as opposed to our surroundings and circumstances. Examples of this include our feelings around our body image or low self-esteem.
Misuse of drugs: Drugs, including alcohol, have a powerful effect on our brain and the results are often unpredictable. Heavy drug use is known to have a negative impact on mental health.
ReachOut Australia, 2018.
Stress is an expected human response to challenging or dangerous situations. Humans have evolved over time to be able to experience a range of stressors and recover from them.
Experiencing stress is part of being alive. A small amount of stress, such meeting a challenge or deadline can actually be helpful. It can lead to increased alertness, energy and productivity. A complete lack of stress can lead to reduced motivation and performance.
Stress triggers off the 'fight or flight' response, preparing the body to take action against potential danger. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released, causing the heart rate, metabolism and breathing rate to speed up.
Health Direct, n.d.
Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. While stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where we feel under pressure, they usually pass once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed.
Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don't go away – when they're ongoing and happen without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard to cope with daily life. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for someone experiencing anxiety, these feelings aren't easily controlled.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people – one in three women and one in five men – will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.1 In a 12-month period, over two million Australians experience anxiety.
Anxiety is common, but the sooner people with anxiety get support, the more likely they are to recover.
Beyond Blue, 2018.
Clinical depression is an illness, a medical condition. It significantly affects the way someone feels, causing a persistent lowering of mood.
Depression is often accompanied by a range of other physical and psychological symptoms that can interfere with the way a person is able to function in their everyday life. The symptoms of depression generally react positively to treatment.
SANE Australia, n.d.
