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Mental Health Introduction — for Health & Wellness Coaches, Holistic Healthcare Providers, Yoga Teachers, Yoga Therapists

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we introduce basic mental health terminology and summarize evidence-based root causes of anxiety and depression.

Objective

Be familiar with common mental health terms and with evidence-based root causes of anxiety and depression.

Description

Define the term mental health. Discuss how a full range of emotions — including those often labeled “negative” — are natural and healthy responses to life. Clarify the meaning of mental illness, including related terminology, and distinguish it from general mental health challenges. Review the prevalence of chronic anxiety and depression, and examine a broad range of evidence-based causes including those associated with panic attacks and seasonal affective disorder. Discuss the relevance of mental health awareness in contexts such as yoga, including how this understanding can support teaching, when it is appropriate to refer out, and how to recognize the need for specialized mental health care.

Vocabulary

mental disorder, mental health, mental illness, psychological disorder

Related Lessons

This is part of a series of related topics. Use the quick menu above to navigate within this section.

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