MHFA Quiz UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the definition of mental disorders as described in the MHFA text and what functions are
typically affected? - CORRECT ANSWER - Mental Disorder: a diagnosable illness that
affects a person's thinking, emotional state, and behavior disrupts the persons' ability to work or
carry out other daily activities and engage in satisfying and personal relationships.
What are the three most common mental disorders experienced by adults in the United States? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Anxiety, Major Depressive, and Substance use
What is the definition of Mental Health First Aid and how long is it given? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental
health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. Help is given until the appropriate
treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
How is "recovery" defined in the 2003 President's New Freedom Commission Report on Mental
Health? How does the concept of recovery vary among individuals? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully
in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live in a fulfilling and
productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete
remission of symptoms.
What do each of the letters in ALGEE represent as part of the Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan? - CORRECT ANSWER - A Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L Listen Nonjudgmentally
G Give reassurance and information
E Encourage appropriate professional help
E Encourage self help and other support strategies
What is the definition of a major depressive disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER - Symptoms
(Unusually sad mood, loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, lack
of energy and tiredness, feeling worthless or feeling guilty though not really at fault) last for at
, least 2 weeks and affects the person's ability to work, to carry out usual daily activities, and to
have satisfying personal relationships.
Identify 3 warning signs of suicide from those listed in the MHFA text - CORRECT
ANSWER - Feeling trapped, feeling helpless, giving away belongings, threatening to
kill/hurt themselves,
There are five important questions to ask a person if you think they may be suicidal. List all five.
- CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Are you having thoughts of suicide?
2. Are you thinking of killing yourself?
3. Have you decided how you would kill yourself
4. Have you decided when you would do it?
Have you taken any steps to secure the things you would need to carry out your plan.
It may be difficult to distinguish between a panic attack and a heart attack. Identify three
symptoms of a panic attack that may be similar to a heart attack. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Palpitations/ pounding heart/ rapid heart rate, sweating, chest pain or discomfort
A traditional way to treat a person having a panic attack was to have them breathe into a paper
bag. Why might that strategy not be appropriate. - CORRECT ANSWER - Because the
increase in carbon dioxide could cause the person to pass out. It can also draw more attention to
the person making the situation worse.
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the definition of mental disorders as described in the MHFA text and what functions are
typically affected? - CORRECT ANSWER - Mental Disorder: a diagnosable illness that
affects a person's thinking, emotional state, and behavior disrupts the persons' ability to work or
carry out other daily activities and engage in satisfying and personal relationships.
What are the three most common mental disorders experienced by adults in the United States? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Anxiety, Major Depressive, and Substance use
What is the definition of Mental Health First Aid and how long is it given? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental
health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. Help is given until the appropriate
treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
How is "recovery" defined in the 2003 President's New Freedom Commission Report on Mental
Health? How does the concept of recovery vary among individuals? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully
in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live in a fulfilling and
productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete
remission of symptoms.
What do each of the letters in ALGEE represent as part of the Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan? - CORRECT ANSWER - A Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L Listen Nonjudgmentally
G Give reassurance and information
E Encourage appropriate professional help
E Encourage self help and other support strategies
What is the definition of a major depressive disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER - Symptoms
(Unusually sad mood, loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, lack
of energy and tiredness, feeling worthless or feeling guilty though not really at fault) last for at
, least 2 weeks and affects the person's ability to work, to carry out usual daily activities, and to
have satisfying personal relationships.
Identify 3 warning signs of suicide from those listed in the MHFA text - CORRECT
ANSWER - Feeling trapped, feeling helpless, giving away belongings, threatening to
kill/hurt themselves,
There are five important questions to ask a person if you think they may be suicidal. List all five.
- CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Are you having thoughts of suicide?
2. Are you thinking of killing yourself?
3. Have you decided how you would kill yourself
4. Have you decided when you would do it?
Have you taken any steps to secure the things you would need to carry out your plan.
It may be difficult to distinguish between a panic attack and a heart attack. Identify three
symptoms of a panic attack that may be similar to a heart attack. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Palpitations/ pounding heart/ rapid heart rate, sweating, chest pain or discomfort
A traditional way to treat a person having a panic attack was to have them breathe into a paper
bag. Why might that strategy not be appropriate. - CORRECT ANSWER - Because the
increase in carbon dioxide could cause the person to pass out. It can also draw more attention to
the person making the situation worse.
