Social - Emotional

Mental Health

Students may experience ups and downs in their mental health and well-being, which is a natural part of adolescent development.  At the same time, adolescence is often the time that individuals may experience the initial onset of mental health illness and disorders such as anxiety or depression.  The resources below offer information and resources on topics central to health and wellness as well as mental health issues that students may confront.

• The Teen Brain - 7 Things to Know: Research and information complied by the National Institute of Mental Health focusing on the change and development of the adolescent brain and implications for behavior and mental health.

• Depression: Adolescent depression is increasing at an alarming rate.  Recent surveys indicate that as many as one in five teens suffers from clinical depression.  This is a serious problem that calls for prompt, appropriate treatment.

• Anxiety: Someone with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) worries excessively about many different things and is not able to control his or her worry.  The worrying and anxiety causes serious emotional distress, and causes problems at school and in relationships.

• Suicide: If you or any of your friends are feeling this way and have had thoughts of suicide, the most important thing to do is to talk immediately with an adult you trust.  If you want to remain anonymous call the hotline number 1-800-273-8255 or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and ask them to help you figure out what to do. 

• Eating Disorders:  Eating disorders are real, complex, and devastating conditions that can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.

• Substance Abuse: Think you might have a problem?  Want the facts about addiction? If you are worried about a family member or friend, check out: Alateen

• Resources and Tips during the pandemic.

• Child Mind Institute: #WeThriveInside

• I'm Listening - Talk has the power to saves lives.  Pop stars, Country's top talent, Rock icons, and more candidly discuss their personal mental health moments and share the sentiment that you are not alone. Each artist's story aims to inspire us and remind us that conversations around mental health are impactful and life-changing.  It's okay not to be okay.  

Grief and Loss

Coping with the loss of a close friend or family member may be one of the hardest challenges that many of us face. These resources below are offered to help you learn more about the grieving process and ways to get help and support in coping with death and loss.

• The Dougy Center:  The National Center for Grieving Children and Families

• American Psychological Association:  Grief and Coping with Loss

• National Association of School Psychologists:  Addressing Grief

Emergency: 911

Referral services: 211 | 211.org

Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988

Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) | https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol/

Crisis Text Line for Depression:  https://www.crisistextline.org/help-for-depression/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl_nc2f_17AIViZ-zCh0zZggKEAAYAiAAEgKc0vD_BwE

Crisis Text Line for Stress and Anxiety:  https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/school/#the-tldr-on-school-stress-and-anxiety-1

Self-Injury/Cutting: 1-800-366-8288 | https://selfinjury.com/

Eating Disorders: 1-800-931-2237 | https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Runaway Hotline: 1-800-231-6946 | https://www.1800runaway.org/

Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 | http://www.childhelp.org/hotline/

Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | https://www.rainn.org/

Domestic/Relationship Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | https://www.thehotline.org/

Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline | https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Other resources for developing healthy lifestyles, including mental and emotional help: https://www.helpguide.org/

Kids in Crisis: 203-661-1911 - available 24 hours a day for confidential crisis counseling and advice for youth and families

Talk It Out: 1-833-258-5011 - a helpline available to provide parents support during stressful times

National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD):  https://www.nccsdclearinghouse.org/crisis-resources.html

Your Life Your Voice: https://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/home.aspx

Tips for Successful Online Learning

Check out these Wellness Apps:

• Breathe

• Breathwrk

• Calm

• Mindshift

• Moodpath

• Self-Help Anxiety Management

• Tide

• Welltrack

• Youper

• Take a mindful minute and color as a stress reliever:  Crayola Coloring Pages