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buffer to stress and a source of wellbeing. But too often in our fast-paced lives, quality time with people gets crowded out. Make space in your life for the people you love. Spend time with others regularly, in-person and virtually.114 Find people who support and care about you and have open and honest conversations with them about your feelings. Get involved in group activities, such as recreation and outdoor activities, afterschool programs, and mentorship programs.115 Find ways to serve. Volunteering in your community and helping others can be a great way to connect with people, build a sense of purpose, and develop your own sense of self-worth.116 Helping others when you are the one struggling can seem counterintuitive. But service is a powerful antidote to isolation, and it reminds us that we have value to add to the world. Learn and practice techniques to manage stress and other difficult emotions. Try to recognize situations that may be emotionally challenging for you, and come up with strategies to manage those emotions. For example, if you find it stressful to look at COVID-related news, try to check the news less often, take a break for a day or a week at a time, keep notifications off throughout the day, and avoid looking at negative stories before bed.51 WE CAN TAKE ACTION Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory 15 Take care of your body and mind. Stick to a schedule, eat well, stay physically active, get quality sleep, stay hydrated, and spend time outside.117, 118, 119 And avoid substances that can ultimately make you feel tired, down, or depressed, such as alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and tobacco.120 Be intentional about your use of social media, video games, and other technologies. Here are some questions to help guide your technology use: How much time are you spending online? Is it taking away from healthy offline activities, like exercising, seeing friends, reading, and sleeping? What content are you consuming, and how does it make you feel? Are you online because you want to be, or because you feel like you have to be? Be a source of support for others. Talk to your family and friends about mental health, listen and be a source of support to them, and connect them to the right resources.121 Advocate for and contribute your ideas at the local, state, or national levels. For example, look into joining Youth Advisory Councils or mental health peer support programs in your community.122 If you’re in crisis, get immediate help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255, chat with trained counselors 24/7, or get help in other ways through the Lifeline How Right Now (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Resources for coping with negative emotions and stress, talking to loved ones, and finding inspiration Youth Engaged 4 Change: Opportunities for youth to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth (National Academies of Medicine): Tools for children, teens, and parents to learn how to cope with challenges Mental Health Resource Center (JED Foundation): Information about common emotional health issues and how to overcome challenges Youth Wellbeing Initiatives (National Council for Mental Wellbeing): Collection of initiatives to improve mental wellbeing in youth and young adults Kids, Teens, and Young Adults (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Resources for young people to get mental health support One Mind PsyberGuide: A guide to navigating mental health apps and digital technologies FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA): Information on substance use and mental health treatment Trevor Project: Suicide prevention and crisis intervention resources for LGBTQ+ young people AAKOMA Mental Health Resources (The AAKOMA Project): Resources to support the mental health of youth of color and their caregivers Mental Health for Immigrants (Informed Immigrant): Tips for managing the mental health of yourself and others Resources for Young People Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory 16 Families and caregivers play a critical role in providing the safe, stable, and nurturing environments and relationships young people need to thrive. Below are recommendations for how families and caregivers can engage with children and youth on mental health topics, help them become more resilient, and address emerging mental health challenges: Be the best role model you can be for young people by taking care of your own mental and physical health. Young people often learn behaviors and habits from what they see around them. You can model good habits by talking to children about the importance of mental health, seeking help when you need it, and showing positive ways you deal with stress so children learn from you. Additional ways to take care of your own mental health include taking breaks, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating balanced meals, maintaining regular routines, obtaining health insurance coverage, staying connected with family and friends, and taking time to unplug from technology or social media.123 Help children and youth develop strong, safe, and stable relationships with you and other supportive adults. Research shows that the most important thing a child needs to be resilient is a stable and
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