Mental
Health
By Jazzmyne Aguilar
One in five children have a mental health condition, with half of them developing by age 14. With that information, you would think people would care more when teens say they need help or are stressed. Parents and teachers are more understanding nowadays, knowing that school and being a teen can be really stressful. Finding resources to help you can be scary, especially when you don’t know who to go to or you’re scared to open up to others. Especially now during the pandemic and e-learning, school and trying to keep your friends around is really hard. You’re unmotivated: school isn’t even a priority anymore, just barely passing by with a "C" or "D" grade is good enough. Of course, not everyone is unmotivated; some people really are trying their best, which is amazing. The majority of people, though, are unmotivated, tired, irritated at teachers and/or parents for no particular reason, and are stressed over everything. Understanding that you need help mentally can be difficult. You may have never experienced anything like it before, but, if you have, I’m going to give you some tips for reaching out and coping.
Resources
Opening up and expressing how you feel can be hard, especially with your emotions all over the place and not being able to control them. But believe me, there are people who do understand you and truly want to help you.
Parents
This one may be hard. Your parents might not understand or push your feelings aside, but it’s good to let them know what’s going on once you’re comfortable with speaking about your issues.
Teachers/School Counselors/Social Workers
You may not think teachers or counselors actually care...that they just teach...but they really do care. They want the best for us. They want to see us succeed and grow up to do good in the world. If you’re not comfortable with going to a teacher, school counselors and social workers are also an option. They really help. They keep the conversations that you have with them private, unless you’re being harmed, harming yourself, or harming others...then they have to speak up. But other than that, everything you express to them stays with them.
Your Pediatrician/Doctor
You may not know that your regular doctor can help with mental health, but they can. They want you healthy, whether it’s mentally or physically. They can try to evaluate you and recommend you to someone who can help even more.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are something we all need; it’s how we release all our feelings and thoughts without really opening up. Coping skills really help you relax and keep your mind busy. Coping skills can honestly be anything you want them to be. If it helps you relax and keeps your mind busy then it’s a coping skill, but here’s a few examples:
Reading
Writing
Running
Drawing/Coloring
Listening to music
Singing
Any sport you enjoy
Yoga
Mediation
Video games
*Whatever helps you in a positive way is a coping skill*
This pandemic really took a toll on our mental health. It affected others more and others not so much. But know help is always there, whether you realize it or not. Just remember, hurting yourself or others is NEVER the answer. Putting yourself and others in harm's way doesn’t help at all.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours.
Languages: English, Spanish.
800-273-8255