Mental Health Challenges and How to Approach Them

Objective: Get practical tips to manage your mental health and tackle common challenges.

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Thoughts & Emotions

Includes: Self-talk, Anxiety, Intense Emotions, Procrastination

Self-Talk

Author: TED-Ed

Question:

Is it normal to talk to yourself?

Explainer:

Talking to yourself is a natural way to process thoughts and emotions. It can help you clarify your thinking, regulate emotions, and problem-solve.

Activity

In the Playground:

Thoughtful Snow by Rooksy – Write and release words into the snow — a symbolic way to reflect and let go of negative thoughts.

In Real Life:

Talk through a current challenge out loud.

Try This Too:

Record your self-talk and listen back — what patterns do you notice?

Anxiety

Author: Rhesus Medicine

Question:

What’s the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

Explainer:

Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but when it becomes persistent or overwhelming, it may signal the need to seek help.

Activity

In the Playground:

Play Cafe Calm by tomputergames. Use breath rhythm to calm your nervous system — try the Evolving Mind app to see the impact of this action on your sympathetic nervous system (stress response).

In Real Life:

Try box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4).

Try This Too:

Keep a journal of your anxiety triggers and how you respond.

Intense Emotions

Author: TED-Ed

Question:

How can I manage overwhelming feelings in the moment?

Explainer:

Emotional regulation involves recognising, understanding, and managing your emotions.

Activity

In the Playground:

Play Empty by Bastian Engø – Explore emotional stories and puzzles — a way to build empathy and awareness.

In Real Life:

Name your emotions as they arise.

Try This Too:

Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.

Procrastination

Author: TED-Ed

Question:

Why do we put things off, even when we know it’ll make us feel worse?

Explainer:

Procrastination is often a way to avoid discomfort — whether it’s fear of failure, perfectionism, or overwhelm.

Activity

In the Playground:

Tripwire by Lio Lim – Practice timing and focus — a metaphor for breaking tasks into small, doable steps.

In Real Life:

Break a task into 3 steps. Do the first one now

Try This Too:

Use a “done list” to celebrate progress.

Stress & Resilience

Includes: Rejection, Stress, Imposter Syndrome

Rejection

Author: TED-Ed

Question:

How can I bounce back from rejection without losing confidence?

Explainer:

ejection is part of life. Learning to cope with it builds resilience and self-awareness.

Activity

In the Playground:

The Snake That Wanted to Climb a Tree by Strook – Overcome obstacles with persistence — a metaphor for bouncing back after rejection.

In Real Life:

Reflect on a time you were rejected. What did you learn?

Try This Too:

Write a letter to your past self offering encouragement.

Stress

  • Title Video 1: How Stress Affects Your Brain
  • Author: Madhumita Murgia | TED-Ed
  • Title Video 2: How to Make Stress Work for You
  • Author: Ted -Ed

Question:

Can stress ever be a good thing?

Explainer:

Stress can motivate or overwhelm. Learning to manage it helps you stay focused and healthy

Activity

In the Playground:

Take a Break by Strook – Match your breath to calming visuals — a great way to reset and reduce stress.

In Real Life:

List your top 3 stressors. Write one small action for each.

Try This Too:

Create a “calm corner” with soothing items.

Imposter Syndrome

Author: Elizabeth Cox | TED-Ed

Question:

Why do I feel like a fraud even when I succeed?

Explainer:

Imposter syndrome is the belief that you’re not as capable as others think. It’s common — and manageable.

Activity

In the Playground:

Clean Slate by Bastian Engø et al. Help others start fresh — a powerful metaphor for reframing your own self-doubt.

In Real Life:

Write down 3 accomplishments and the strengths behind them.

Try This Too:

Ask someone what they admire about you — and believe them.

Mental Health Conditions

Includes: Depression, ADHD, PTSD, Insomnia

Depression

Author: Helen M. Farrell | TED-Ed

Question:

What does depression really feel like, and how can I manage it?

Explainer:

Depression is more than sadness — it’s a persistent low mood that affects how you think, feel, and function.

Activity

In the Playground:

Umwelt! by HIHAHEHO Studio – Explore different perspectives to build empathy and emotional insight.

In Real Life:

List 3 small things you did today. Acknowledge the effort.

Try This Too:

Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.

ADHD

 Author: Neuroscientifically Challenged

Question:

How does ADHD affect focus and behavior across a lifetime?

Explainer:

ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and organization — often in different ways across life stages.

Activity

In the Playground:

Rhythm Cafe by flavedogame – Manage tasks to music — great for practicing focus, timing, and switching attention.

In Real Life:

Use a timer to work in short bursts (e.g., 15 min on, 5 min off).

Try This Too:

Create a visual checklist to stay on track.

PTSD

Author: Joelle Rabow Maletis | TED-Ed

Question:

What is PTSD and how does it affect the brain and body?

Explainer:

PTSD is triggered by trauma and can cause flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional numbness.

Activity

In the Playground:

A Whale’s Cry by Lio Lim – A gentle, sensory journey that supports grounding and emotional reflection.

In Real Life:

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique using your senses.

Try This Too:

Visualize or create a “safe space” to return to when overwhelmed.

Insomnia

Author: Dan Kwartler | TED-Ed

Question:

Why can’t I sleep, even when I’m tired?

Explainer:

Insomnia affects your ability to fall or stay asleep and is often linked to stress or routine disruption.

Activity

In the Playground:

Play Unusual Wind -by Shminkle – Calming visuals and breath-focused play help you wind down before bed.

In Real Life:

Then start your screen-free bedtime routine with calming activities.

Try This Too:

Track your sleep habits to spot helpful patterns.

Behaviour & Identity

Includes: Addiction, Anger, Selfishness, Bad Habits, Grief

Addiction

Author: Judy Grisel | TED-Ed

Question:

Why is addiction so hard to treat, even when we want to change?

Explainer:

Addiction is a brain-based condition that affects behavior and decision-making.

Activity

In the Playground:

Clean Slate by Bastian Engø et al. Help others start over — a metaphor for rebuilding after addiction.

In Real Life:

Learn how addiction affects the brain. Reflect on one small step toward change.

Try This Too:

Talk to someone who understands — connection is key.

Anger

Author: Delaney Thull | TED-Ed

Question:

What can philosophy teach us about managing anger?

Explainer:

Anger is natural, but how we respond to it matters.

Activity

In the Playground:

Keep the Lights On by Raccoon Raconteur – Navigate challenges while managing your reactions — great for emotional regulation.

In Real Life:

Reflect on a recent moment of anger. What helped you cool down?

Try This Too:

Try a “cool-off” ritual — a walk, music, or writing.

Selfishness

Author: Mark Hopwood | TED-Ed

Question:

How do I know if I’m being selfish — and is that always bad?

Explainer:

Selfishness isn’t always negative. It’s about balance.

Activity

In the Playground:

Play Umwelt! by HIHAHEHO Studio – Step into others’ perspectives — a powerful way to reflect on your impact.

In Real Life:

Think of a recent decision. Did it consider both your needs and others’?

Try This Too:

Ask someone close how your actions affect them.

Bad Habits

Author: TED-Ed

Question:

Why is it so hard to break habits we know aren’t good for us?

Explainer:

Habits form through repetition and reward. Breaking them means disrupting the loop.

Activity

In the Playground:

Try Thoughtful Snow by Rooksy – Write and release words — a symbolic way to let go of unhelpful patterns.

In Real Life:

Choose one habit to change. Replace it with a small, positive

Grief

  • Title Video 1: What is Grief?
  • Author: Child Bereavement UK
  • Title Video 2: The Invisible Suitcase: understanding grief and how to manage it
  • Author: Child Bereavement UK

Question:

What are the stages of grief and do we all go through them the same way?

Explainer:

Grief is a natural response to loss. It doesn’t follow a straight line — everyone’s journey is different.

Activity

In the Playground:

Try A Whale’s Cry by Lio Lim – Follow a baby whale’s journey — a gentle metaphor for navigating loss and finding meaning.

In Real Life:

Write about a loss you’ve experienced. What helped you move forward?

Try This Too:

Create a small ritual to honour what you’ve lost — a photo, a walk, a memory.

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