Ice breakers mental health training

Icebreakers can be a great way to help participants feel more comfortable and connected in a mental health training setting. Here are some ideas for icebreakers that can be adapted to a mental health training:

1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each participant shares two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The others have to guess which one is the lie. This game can help participants get to know each other and can be a fun way to build connections.
2. Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with different traits, characteristics, or interests in each square (e.g. "has traveled to another country", "speaks more than one language", etc.). Participants have to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.
3. The Name Game: Have each participant introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g. "I'm Sarah and I love sailing"). Then, have the others repeat the name and fact back to them.
4. Word Association Game: Have each participant write down a word that is related to mental health (e.g. "anxiety", "self-care", etc.). Then, have them share their word and explain why they chose it. This can be a great way to start a conversation about mental health.
5. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that participants have to complete during the training (e.g. "find someone who has experienced anxiety", "take a photo with someone who has a mental health condition", etc.). This can be a fun way to get participants moving and interacting with each other.
6. Mental Health Trivia: Create a quiz with questions about mental health (e.g. "what is the definition of depression?", "what are some common symptoms of anxiety?", etc.). This can be a great way to educate participants about mental health and get them thinking about the topic.
7. Sharing Circle: Have each participant share a personal experience or story related to mental health. This can be a powerful way to build connections and create a sense of community.
8. Would You Rather: Present participants with two difficult choices related to mental health (e.g. "would you rather have to take medication for the rest of your life or attend therapy sessions for the rest of your life?", etc.). This can be a great way to spark interesting conversations and debates.
9. Mental Health Charades: Divide participants into two teams and have them take turns acting out mental health-related words or phrases (e.g. "depression", "anxiety attack", etc.). The other team has to guess what the word or phrase is.
10. Gratitude Circle: Have each participant share something they are grateful for related to mental health (e.g. "I'm grateful for my therapist", "I'm grateful for my support system", etc.). This can be a great way to focus on the positive aspects of mental health.

Remember to keep the icebreakers fun and engaging, and make sure they are relevant to the topic of mental health. The goal is to help participants feel more comfortable and connected, not to make them feel uncomfortable or anxious.