Mental health matters
We know it is good to take care of our physical health but feeling mentally healthy is just as important to our overall health. One in five teens has a mental health condition, but sometimes the fear of what others might think keep us from getting the help we need.
Common mental health conditions in youth
Anxiety
Feelings of excessive uneasiness, worry, and fear
Depression
Depressed mood that impacts thoughts, feelings, and daily activities
Eating Disorders
Extreme and abnormal eating behaviors such as refusing to eat or self-induced vomiting after eating
ADHD
Inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with daily life
Recognize the signs of early mental health issues
Feeling sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
Loss of interest in usual hobbies
Having thoughts of suicide
Intense worries that disrupt daily life
Sleeping too little or too much
Avoiding social activities
Fear of gaining weight, not eating, vomiting
Difficulty concentrating or focusing
STRESS
Stress is one of the most commonly linked causes of substance abuse, for both teenagers and adults. Stress management is one of the most important things to consider in order to live a healthy lifestyle.
Address your stress
Avoid procrastination
We’re all guilty of procrastination, but a great strategy to prevent stress is to kick the habit of putting things off.
Set a schedule for yourself that allows you to get things done in plenty of time and stick to it.
Use your reminders on your phone or a planner to help you remember to complete tasks.
Make a list
Take a moment before you go to bed or when you wake up in the morning to write down what you need to accomplish for the day.
Start small: Write down 3 things you need to get done, 3 things you could get done, and 3 things you could do if you have extra time.
Steer clear
Some stress is unavoidable, but here's the good news: self-created stress doesn’t have to be!
Avoid stressful situations when you can.
Practice good time management with the things you need to get done and when you can, avoid people, places, and things that cause you stress.
Address the issue
Whether it is finishing a big project or making amends with someone after a disagreement, it is better to be proactive about addressing the stress.
Remember: ignoring the problem will only increase your stress over time!
Let it go!
If there’s nothing you can do to solve a stressful situation, practice coping skills to help you move on.
We can’t control everything but we can control how we react to things.
If you shift your focus from frustration over things out of your control to tackling things that are your responsibility, it will help lower your stress.
There are many things we can do to cope with our stress.
Build a healthy support network of people you trust
Spend time thinking and expressing your emotions
Make time to exercise
Get 8-10 hours of sleep every night
Eat healthy
Practice good hygiene
Avoid substance use such as alcohol or drugs
Keep your caffeine intake low
Spend time outside. Sunlight contains vitamin D which is a natural mood booster!