Name: _______________________________________ 

 
8th Grade Mental & Emotional Health Study Guide 
Test Date: ___________________ 
 
Define the following:  
1. Stress: The body’s response to change.  
 
2. Stressor: Anything that causes stress. 
 
3. Fight or Flight Response: The process by which the body prepares to deal with a 
stressor. 
 
4. Adrenaline: A hormone that gives the body extra energy.  
 
5. List the effects of excess stress on the following:  
 
Physical Health Mental Health  Social Health 
Headaches, digestive  Anxious, moody, & irritable.  Withdrawal from 
problems, high blood Interfere with ability to  social contacts. 
pressure, impaired  focus and have fun.  Yell at others.  
immune system.    
 
6. List healthy ways to cope with, manage, or prevent stress:  
Eat well, get enough rest, relax, laugh, physical activity, maintain a positive outlook, 
socialize with family and friends, manage your time.  
 
7. List the symptoms of being over stressed: 
Changes in appetite, headaches, chronic pain, decreased energy, rapid heartbeat, 
depression 
 
8. Define the following defense mechanisms and be able to identify which defense 
mechanism is being used in a particular situation:  
 
Compensation  Rationalization 
A person tries to make up for his/her  An attempt to justify one’s actions with 
weaknesses by developing strengths in  excuses rather than by admitting one’s 
other areas.  failure or mistake.  
 

Denial  Regression 
Refusal to accept the reality of a  Retreating to an earlier time that seems 
situation.   less threatening and requires less 
  responsibility.  
 
 

Humor  Repression 
A person focuses on the funny aspects of  Blocking out thoughts about unpleasant 
a painful situation.   things or experiences. Repression is 
  actually an unconscious method of 
  escaping something unpleasant.  
 
 Identification  Sublimation 
A person tries to assume the qualities of  Transforming unacceptable behaviors into 
someone that is admired.   acceptable ones. Can involve directing 
  specific behaviors.  
 

Projection  Displacement  
A person shifts the blame/responsibility  A person transfers his/her emotions from 
for his/her actions or thoughts to  a situation or object to another situation 
another person.   or object.  
 
 
9. List at least 6 possible signs of Depression: 
Feelings of sadness and inadequacy, pessimism about the future, inability to enjoy your 
usual pleasures, persistent feelings of anger, feelings that you are worthless, not 
taking care of yourself, feeling tired all the time, dreading mornings and decisions, 
feeling helpless to change your life.  
 
10. List examples of what helps people cope with Depression: 
Talk to a trusted adult, seek treatment, see a doctor, write in a journal 
 
11. List at least 10 warning signs of suicide: 
● Decline in school performance 
● Skipping class 
● Dropping out of activities 
● Aggressive or destructive behavior 
● Insomnia 
● Daytime sleepiness 
● Difficulty concentrating 
● Lack of energy 
● Changes in eating patterns - either overeating or not eating 
● Withdrawal from relationships with friends and family 
● Isolation 
● Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt 
● Risk taking behavior 
● Changes in personality or behavior 
● Beginning to use alcohol or other drugs 
● Giving away prized possessions 
● Statements, such as “I wish I were dead” or “No one cares” 
● Loss of interest in everyday activities, even things they enjoy doing 
● Apathy 
● Death themes in artwork or written work 
● Planning a suicide attempt or a previous attempt 
● A sudden lift of spirits because they feel their problems will soon end 
 
12. List ways to help individuals who are displaying warning signs of suicide: 
● Take any signs or verbal statements seriously 
● Listen to the person and show him or her that you care 
● Don’t leave the person alone 
● Build a network of support 
● Call a suicide hotline number 
● Get professional help 
● Seek out local agencies that could provide professional counseling services 
● Seek a trusted adult