Mental Health Supports
TJ Students and Families,
We know that times can be challenging, and that we sometimes feel lost, alone, and anxious. Please know that we are here to support you. You are strong and you are not alone. If you are worried about yourself or a friend, please reach out to a trusted TJ adult during school hours. If you need mental health support after school hours, please contact one of the amazing resources below. If it is an emergency, please call 911.
How are you?
How are you? It is perfectly ok to be experiencing a whirlwind of emotions right now. Some of you are homebodies or prefer online learning and are loving staying home. Others may even be experiencing various levels of anxiety and panic. Feeling some anxiety is perfectly normal right now. Often, the fear and anxiety gets worse when you feel like you don’t have control—but you do have control over many things right now:
Stay socially connected. Humans are social beings and thrive on connection. Since we all need to be practicing social distancing, we need to connect in ways that are safe. FaceTime a friend. Text someone you haven't heard from in a while.
Stay active. Fresh air is good for us so go for a walk in your neighborhood or a park. Some fitness apps are currently free to help support people over the next month (check out Down Dog for yoga—they also have other apps like HIIT and 7-minute workouts).
Do things that relieve stress for you. Check out apps such as Headspace or Calm if that appeals to you. Or maybe pull out that dusty Monopoly board game and spend time with your family.
Disconnect. After spending all day on your computer, walk away from technology for a bit. Your eyes and brain need a rest.
Talk to someone you trust. If you feel yourself getting caught up in the frenzy, talk to someone you trust. Journaling is also a good way to sort out the thoughts in your head.
Write down things you are grateful for. There are so many benefits of gratitude and it can be life-changing. For now, it can help get you through these long days.
Sleep. Make sleep a priority. According to Children’s Hospital Colorado, the foundational elements of sleep hygiene include creating a cool, quiet, dark sleep environment, sticking to a consistent bedtime, limiting caffeine eight hours before bed, avoid electronics one hour prior to bed.
Limit News/Screens- Prioritizing self-care means setting limits for yourself on viewing, hearing and reading the news about the pandemic. Hearing repeatedly about the Coronavirus can be upsetting. Consider a limit of 15 minutes a day to stay informed. Be sure you are paying attention to legitimate, trustworthy sources (CDC, World Health Organization, Colorado Public Health) since there is a lot of misinformation going around. Focus on staying informed about things you can control (washing your hands, avoid touching your face, keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, following health recommendations from local authorities)
Distract Yourself. Distractions can help us when we are ruminating and our minds are racing. Light a scented candle, pour a cup of tea, play a board game, make a new recipe, watch a movie, listen to music, clean and organize your things, draw or create art.
Get Support! You can always send us an email or make an appointment for a virtual chat.