SAM BRANNAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

Being a kid and a teenager is hard. You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family, and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem.

Mental health problems are real, painful, and sometimes severe. You might need help if you have the signs mentioned above, or if you

• Often feel very angry or very worried

• Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death

• Think your mind is controlled or out of control

• Use alcohol or drugs

• Exercise, diet and/or binge-eat obsessively

• Hurt other people or destroy property

• Do reckless things that could harm you or others

• Feel depressed (sad and hopeless)

You are not alone, talk to your parents or schedule an appointment with the Student Support Center, we'd love to help you figure out what's going on and connect you with resources! Let's end the stigma and talk about our mental health.

Resources For people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or have hearing loss

What Happens When You Call a Suicide Hotline?

Depending on the suicide hotline, your call may be routed to a central location or, as in the case of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, your call may be answered by the center closest to you. When you call, you'll typically hear a message confirming the number you have reached and then on-hold music until someone can answer your call.

Once your call is answered, a caring and trained person will listen to you, learn about your situation, ask questions and will then generally tell you about mental health services in your area. Services in your area can range from a mobile response team to a suicide prevention center staffed with counselors where you can be accommodated overnight.