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Glossary

Adaptation
The ability to adjust to new situations, such as moving to a new city or starting university.

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Addiction (Dependence)
A persistent need to use a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, or engage in a particular behaviour, such as gambling or using the internet, despite its negative consequences.

A strong and continuous need for a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, or a behaviour, such as online gaming.
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Affect
The expression of feelings, such as affection, joy or sadness.

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Agoraphobia
An intense fear of being in places where it might be difficult to leave or receive help in the event of a panic attack.

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Hallucination
The perception of something that does not exist, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there.

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Healthy Friendship
A relationship based on respect, trust and mutual support.

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Anxiety
The body’s natural response to situations involving danger or worry. When excessive or persistent, it can interfere with daily life.

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Social Anxiety
Fear or discomfort in social situations, such as speaking in public or meeting new people.

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Self-Awareness
The ability to recognise one’s own emotions, values and personal boundaries.

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Self-Harm
Behaviour in which a person deliberately injures themselves, usually as a way of coping with emotional distress, without suicidal intent.

Deliberately hurting oneself, such as by cutting or burning, often as a way of coping with emotional pain.
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Self-Esteem
The way a person sees and values themselves.

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Assertiveness
The ability to express thoughts, feelings and needs clearly while respecting one’s own rights and those of others.

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Panic Attack
A sudden episode of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, trembling or a feeling of losing control.

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Self-Acceptance
The ability to accept one’s own characteristics, qualities and limitations without excessive judgement.

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Self-Efficacy
A person’s belief in their ability to face challenges and achieve goals.

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Well-Being
A state of physical, emotional, psychological and social balance that contributes to a good quality of life.

A feeling of physical, mental and emotional balance.

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Bullying
Aggressive, repeated and intentional behaviour that may be physical, verbal, psychological or online and is directed at another person.

Repeated aggression, whether physical, verbal or online, that affects self-esteem and mental health.
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Burnout
A state of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, usually associated with work or study.

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Compulsion
Repetitive behaviour that is difficult to control, such as washing one’s hands repeatedly or overeating.

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Depression
A mood disorder characterised by persistent sadness, loss of interest and changes in daily functioning.

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Empathy
The ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.

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Emotional Intelligence
The ability to recognise, understand and manage one’s own emotions and those of others.

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Prejudice
A negative judgement about someone without truly knowing them, commonly associated with mental health issues.

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Psychoeducation
The process of learning about mental health problems, emotions and management strategies, promoting greater understanding and autonomy.

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Psychologist
A professional who supports mental health through therapy and psychological counselling.

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Psychiatrist
A doctor specialising in mental health who can prescribe medication.

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Stress
A physical and emotional reaction to pressure or demands. When excessive, it can affect both the body and mind.

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Phobia
An intense and irrational fear of something specific, such as spiders or public speaking.

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Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, resulting in tiredness during the day.

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Social Isolation
Withdrawing from friends, colleagues or family, often because of sadness, anxiety or depression.

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Grief
The natural process of emotional pain following the loss of someone or something important.

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Mindfulness
The practice of consciously paying attention to the present moment without judgement.

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Motivation
The force that drives a person to act and achieve goals.

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Obsession
A repetitive and unwanted thought that causes anxiety.

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Perfectionism
The tendency to set very high standards and find it difficult to accept mistakes or imperfections.

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Emotional Regulation
The ability to understand and manage emotions appropriately in different situations.

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Resilience
The ability to adapt and recover after difficult or adverse situations.

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Rumination
The tendency to think repeatedly about the same problems or negative events without finding solutions.

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Mental Health
A state of balance that enables a person to manage emotions, study, work and interact with others.

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Loneliness
The feeling of being alone or disconnected from others, even when surrounded by people.

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Group Therapy
Sessions involving a psychologist and several people who share experiences and learn supportive coping strategies.

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Psychological Trauma
An emotional response to a deeply distressing or threatening event that may have a lasting impact.

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Emotional Vulnerability
The feeling of being more exposed and sensitive to criticism, frustration or change.

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