NORTHWESTERN

UNIVERSITY

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
1. Identify way that help one become capable and responsible adolescent prepared for
adult life;
2. Discuss understanding of mental health and psychological well-being to identify way
to cope with stress during adolescences

MODULE 3: Ways to Become Capable and Responsible Adolescent/

Mental Health and Psychological Well-being in Adolescence

INTRODUCTION:  

Ways to Become a Responsible Adolescent Prepared for Adult Life

Becoming responsible and being able to make good choices are very important traits no
matter what developmental stage you are in. It holds true for adolescents especially that they
are just beginning to internalize and imbibe virtues, values, and other essential qualities.

It may not be easy to be a teenager. There may be lots of things going on in various
facets of their lives. The demands and expectations of their parents and other people around
them can also be stressful.

But the good news is, they can treat these ‘difficulties’ as ‘challenges’ which can make
their life exciting. Having that mindset is also an indication of becoming a responsible and
mentally mature adolescent.

Mental Health and Well-being in Adolescence

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How well do you understand yourself? Would you define yourself as
extremely friendly, confident, or shy? Do you think you have an optimistic disposition?
Generally, are you a happy person? Do you anticipate facing life's encounters? Your reactions to
these questions reveal aspects of your mental/emotional health.
The fight through the stages of adolescence and developing adulthood is one where
young people try out different experiences and take time to fit themselves to the world around
them. The stage of evolving adulthood period is described by exploration, unsteadiness, a focus
on self, a feeling of being in-between, and of potentials. Although this progression can be
puzzling and stimulating, it is also a time that is possibly very thrilling and gratifying for young
people as they have the independence to run through new experiences and cultivate new
relationships that neither childhood nor adulthood would permit them to do.
There are a number of significant responsibilities that young people are confronted of to
be able to go through the period of adolescence and emerging adulthood. These afford young
people with the foundations for adulthood and support them in increase a sense of self, where
they are capable to take responsibility to themselves, can make self-determining decisions and
become financially liberated.

Checkpoint 1. Let us prepare!

Direction: List down 5 ways that you are doing to help become a capable and
responsible adolescent prepared for adult life.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Checkpoint 2. Positive or Poor mental health!

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Direction: The following phrases identify the characteristics of teenager with positive and poor
mental health. Check the proper column that identifies the characteristic listed below:

Positive Mental Poor Mental

Health Health

Quite and withdrawn

Feeling good about self

Having a healthy relationship with family

Engages in a physical activity

Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Hearing and seeing things that are not there

Being able to cope with life demands

Feeling depressed or unhappy

Ability to bounce back from adversity

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

Tiredness and lack of energy

Feels good about self

Ways to Become a Responsible Adolescent Prepared for Adult Life

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Now that you are more aware of the developmental task of the stages in
adolescence, you are guided on how people expect you to think, feel and behave. You also
know the various factors that may have contributed to shaping today’s adolescents and how
they affect your attitudes and behavior. Such factors may be uncontrollable and inevitable to
occur at this stage in your life. However, their influence on your personality will mainly depend
on how you take charge. Taking charge or assuming responsibility is the ability to choose your
own responses (Covey, 2004) to encountered circumstances. It is taking ownership or
accountability of your behaviors, without making excuses or blaming others for your mistakes.
Now, heed this call for responsibility! Start looking into yourself and work on these
building blocks of responsibility (Feiden, 1991). We want to see you successful someday.

1. A strong sense According to Feiden, the most important building block of

of self-esteem responsibility is high self-esteem, which should be a positive belief
in oneself.
2. The capacity for It is the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes so that you
empathy understand what he or she is going to through.
3. Knowing right Being responsible means abiding with what is right and avoiding
from wrong what is wrong. Taking accountability for your actions means facing
the consequences of your actions.
4. Developing Your ability to make good decisions make you rooted to integrity
good judgement and strong personal values. Hence, you are not easily swayed to do
things that you do not like doing.

1. Never to compare yourself to anyone. You are born to be you and not to be others.
2. You’ve received special gifts from God and find it and develop it to the fullest and
use it wisely.

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3. Keep focused on your life and not others and strive to improve it.
4. Be sure to know that you don’t have to worry about what others think of you but be
sure to worry about what God thinks of you.
5. Be thankful and be appreciative for what you have and be able to do things freely
and not depend on others to just to move.
6. Focus on your studies and do well in all of your endeavours. There is time for
everything.
7. Take care of your health and hygiene. Healthy body and mind are important as you
journey through adolescence.
8. Establish good communication and relation with your parents or guardian. Listen to
them. This may be easier said than done at this stage, but creating good relationship
with them will do you good as they are the ones you can lean on especially in times
of trouble.
9. Think a lot before doing something. Evaluate probable consequences before acting.
Practice self-control and self-discipline.

Mental health and Well-being in Adolescence

An important part of holistic well-being is ment

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al health. It is a way of describing social and emotional welfare. Good m ental health
is significant to the adolescent's healthy growth and it is associated
with:
• Feeling contented and positive about oneself and appreciating life,
• Healthy relationships with family and friends,
• Involvement in physical activity and eating a healthy diet,
• The capacity to relax and to get a good night's sleep,
• Community involvement and feeling of belongingness,
Defined in many ways, mental health usually refers to our capability to feel, think, and a
ct in ways that improve our capacity to appreciate life and deal with the encounters of life. Ment
al health is a significant part of our general health and can range from a state of positive menta
l wellbeing to a state of restricting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. At any moment, our ment
al health is somewhere on this scale.

People with good mental/ emotional health exhibit the following characteristics.

 Positive Self- Esteem. Your emotional state of confidence and self esteem connect to
your overall level of wellness. A person with positive self-esteem is better capable of acc
epting challenges and takes failure in stride.
 Sense of Belongingness. Having emotional connection to family members, friends, te
achers, and other people around you delivers ease and assurance. It encourages steadin
ess and makes you feel a part of your community.
 Sense of Purpose. Knowing your own worth and significance allows you to set and rea
lize objectives and be involved in undertakings that are personally satisfying, such as tak
ing part in sports, or doing community service.
 Positive outlook. Looking at the bright side and having faith about lite lessen tension
and increase your energy level. These also intensify the likelihood of success.
 Autonomy. Taking the confidence to
make accountable and sale choices en
courages self-assurance and a sense
of individuality.

Mental Health Challenges

Mental health challenges consist of

changes on thoughts, feelings and behaviors
(referred to as sign and symptoms) that
affect the capacity to do well. To those who

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are more passionate and simple, mental challenges can be small changes in
how they think, feel and act to.
 Anxiety
 Social Anxiety
 Panic Disorder
 Depression

Other mental health concerns and disorders:

There are a number of other student’s mental health concerns and disorder and these
may influence secondary school communities. These matters can take a significant toll on
students, employees, and the broader school community that include:
 Suicidal tendencies
 Self-harm
 Body image disorders and eating abnormalities (anorexia, bulimia)
 Trauma or stress related disorders
 Underage drinking and substance abuse
 Bipolar disorder
 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
 Conduct or behavioral concerns
 Bullying

What can trigger a mental health problem or illness?

 Drugs and alcohol

 Grief and loss
 Bullying
 Sexuality and gender identity

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 Feeling isolated
 Feeling pressure to deny or change their sexuality
 The fear of being rejected or ridiculed
 Feeling unsupported or misunderstood by family or friends

How to become mentally healthy?

 Connect with others  Write it all down

 Take time to enjoy  Set aside regular time for yourself
 Participate and share interest  Walk away
 Donate to your community  Overcome
 Take care of yourself  Reduce your load
 Challenge yourself  Consider the big picture
 Deal with stress  Learn to forgive
 Rest and refresh  Hone your communication skills
 Notice the here and now  Build your optimism
 Turn to someone you trust  Build your gratitude

Activity

Direction:
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1. Find a relaxing and meditative spot in your home for this exercise.

2. Give yourself a break if you are exhausted or overloaded with works.

3. Do whatever makes you feel relaxed and at ease.

REMEMBER! Everyone's mental health is significant.

ollowing questions.

1. An important part of holistic well-being is ________________.

a. Physical health
b. Emotional health
c. Mental health

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d. Spiritual health

2. the most important building block of responsibility

a. Self esteem
b. Good judgment
c. Empathy
d. Sympathy

3. Which of the following are examples of mental health challenges?

a. Anxiety
b. Depression
c. Panic Disorder
d. All of the above

4. The following are example of becoming a mentally healthy except:

a. Connect with others
b. Be alone and lonely
c. Participate and share interest
d. Learn to forgive

5. What can trigger a mental health problem or illness?

a. Drugs and alcohol
b. Bullying
c. Sexuality and gender identity
d. All of the above

6. If you are mentally unstable, what will you do?

a. Talk to your friends
b. Deal with stress
c. Rest and refresh
d. All of the above

7. Which of the following are ways to become a responsible adolescence?

a. Never to compare yourself to anyone. You are born to be you and not to be others.
b. You’ve received special gifts from God and find it and develop it to the fullest and use it
wisely.
c. Keep focused on others life.
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d. Be sure to know that you don’t have to worry about what others think of you
but be sure to worry about what God thinks of you.

8. People with good mental/ emotional health exhibit the following characteristics.
a. Positive Self- Esteem
b. Sense of Belongingness
c. Sense of Purpose
d. All of the above
9. Having emotional connection to family members, friends, teachers, and other people aro
und you delivers ease and assurance.
a. Positive self-esteem
b. Sense of belongingness
c. Sense of purpose
d. Positive outlook

10. Knowing your own worth and significance allows you to set and realize objectives and
be involved in undertakings that are personally satisfying, such as taking part in sports,
or doing community service.
a. Positive self-esteem
b. Sense of belongingness
c. Sense of purpose
d. Positive outlook

Resources: Reference Book and Online Sources

Cleofe, M.P. (2016). Personal Development. Diwa Learning Systems Inc.
Pablo, V.M.G.H. (2016) Personal Development. Scolaire Publishing
https://ourhappyschool.com/social-sciences/ways-become-responsible-adolescent-prepared-
adult-life

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