Teen Mental Health & Wellness
For Middle and High School Students
For Middle and High School Students
PLEASE JOINS US!!
SMCPS in partnership with Healthy St. Mary's is hosting a Mental & Behavioral Health & Wellness Fair on May 18, 2024. Please check out the flyer to the left for details!!
Where Do I Fit In? Creating Spaces Where Youth Feel Connected
9/20 3 P.M. ET
Feeling like you don’t fit in, aren’t like others, have different interests, or just haven’t found a space you feel comfortable in can be extremely challenging and have an impact on their mental health. The discussion of this panel-style webinar will be led by young leaders, who will share their experiences in finding a sense of belonging and how to create intentional and inclusive spaces for youth to feel connected and seen.
Registration Link: https://mhanational.org/events/where-do-i-fit
Click below to link/watch:
They are not the same!
Mental Health is a part of a person's overall health. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and it helps determine how we make choices, relate with other people, and handle stresses in our everyday life. People who have "good" or "positive" mental health do not always feel happy nor do they never feel lonely. These are normal emotions. A person with "good" mental health just has the tools to cope with adversity, stress, and situations.
Mental Illnesses are conditions that impact a person's mood, behavior, or thinking. These medical conditions can interfere with a person's daily functioning and cause difficulty in everyday life. These conditions can be short -erm, chronic or even come in episodes with clear starting and ending points. Mental Illness is not caused by a single factor or event, but they are influenced by many things like your biological factors, your life experiences, and your family history. Just like other medical conditions, Mental Illness is NOT caused by weakness, laziness, or any other moral failing. Just like other medical conditions, mental illness conditions are treatable and recovery is possible!
1 in 4 people will experience mental illness in their lifetime. It's important that we reduce the stigma and learn that we all have mental health and that we all need to take care of our mental well-being! Below are some helpful links and fun activities to help with your mental wellness! In addition, this entire site has numerous resources that you may find helpful for yourself, your friends, or your family.
“Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision.” Anxiety may look like/feel like a stomachache, a headache, sweatiness, pounding or racing heart, feeling of difficulty breathing, nausea, trembling or shaking, etc. It's different for everyone.
What are some things you can do to manage your anxiety?? Try some of the things below:
Breathing exercises. Physical symptoms of anxiety include rapid, shallow breathing and hyperventilation
Going for a walk or doing light exercise. This can help to distract the mind and manage the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Writing down worries.
Meditation and mindfulness.
Grounding
Fidgets, Drawing
When you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, try mindfulness to bring your focus back to the present moment. Some examples of mindfulness include meditation, deep breathing, body scan, coloring activities, and grounding techniques.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., Channel Marker, and Anne Arundel County's Department of Health released the "Kevin Hines: The Art of Wellness" video series. This series features Kevin Hines sharing the story of his long -term struggle with mental health. Part 2 of this video series focuses on Youth and Adolescents. To watch this video series click here. They also list a series of resources, notes, and links. You can access these by clicking here.
Be in the Know . . .
Data from CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate that: Nearly 1 in 11 female and approximately 1 in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year. In addition, 26% of women and 15% of men who were victims of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime first experienced these or other forms of violence by that partner before age 18.
What is Teen Dating Violence? It's a pattern of controlling behavior exhibited toward one teen by another in a dating relationship.
For more information on Teen Dating Violence, click on the 3 lines at the top of the screen. Scroll down to "Teen Dating Violence and Domestic Violence"
Where Do I go if I need Help? Talk to a trusted adult! Talk to a Parent/Guardian! Talk to a School Counselor, Social Worker or Psych or Psychologist!
If in immediate danger, Call 911
Click the Links Below for additional help:
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Skills
When worry becomes too much or when we feel stressed or out of control, we use coping skills to feel better. Sometimes, these coping skills are unhealthy. Take a look at this "BE YOUR BEST YOU" video for what one unhealthy coping strategy looks like. Can you name other unhealthy coping skills?
This issue impacts everyone, not just teens. Parents, students, staff, and communities are all impacted. Together, we can raise awareness and provide support to our students and encourage healthy relationships. Check out the resources below for more information.
Teen Dating & Domestic Violence Awareness
If you need help, please contact your School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, or any adult you trust! You can also contact the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline.
Click here for SMCPS SafeSchools Alert Tip Reporting System. This system allows you to quickly, easily, and anonymously report safety concerns to school officials 24/7/365. Help us create a safer learning environment - to submit a tip, please choose a button to the right.
Call 911 in case of an emergency!