Community Health and Wellness for Somerville HS Students

Mental health affects how we feel, think and act. It’s important at every stage of life so that we can cope with stressful situations, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to our community. However, the statistics are staggering. Over 45% of teens suffer from a mental disorder and 1 in 5 teens suffer from a severe mental illness. That’s 20 percent of our teen population. Mental illnesses are brain function disorders. =They have many causes and result from complex interactions between a person’s genes and their environment. A person struggling with mental health should not be viewed any different than if someone were experiencing a physical illness. Mental illness is not a choice or a failure. It does not discriminate. It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, social status, ethnicity, or any other aspect of cultural identity. In fact, mental illnesses occur at similar rates around the world, in every culture and in all socio economic groups. The concern with mental health isn’t just about the statistics, it’s about well-being. It can affect families, friends and our communities. But you can help make a difference by learning to recognize the signs of mental illness. A mental illness makes the things you do in life hard, like: work, school and socializing. It’s also not always clear when a problem with mood or thinking has become serious enough to be a concern. Sometimes a depressed mood is normal, such as when a person experiences the loss of a loved one. But if that depressed mood continues to cause distress or gets in the way of normal daily functioning, the person may benefit from professional care. If you think you (or someone you know) might be struggling with their mental health, it is best to consult a professional. Early identification and effective treatment is key to treating a disorder and preventing future disability. A health care professional will connect symptoms and experiences to help formulate a diagnosis. If your thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, call 1-800-273-8255. For more information visit childrens.pennstatehealth.org or med.psu.edu/PROwellness.

It’s not always easy to tell others that your child has challenges managing their thoughts or feelings. And it might not be easy for your child to express that either. Even though it's normal for people of any age to experience these challenges, our culture has told us we need to fear them. In this video, we ask why it is this way and what we can all do to give each other the support we need to get help. If you feel like your child needs urgent help, free, confidential, professional help is available 24/7 through Colorado Crisis Services. If your child is in crisis, call or text now: 844-493-8255 Text “TALK” to 38255

We’ve teamed up with Wiltshire Mind to raise awareness of how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental illness. If you think you, a family member, friend or colleague is affected you are not alone. We can all play a part in breaking the stigma associated with mental ill health and start a discussion. Find out more: https://www.wessexwater.co.uk https://www.wiltshiremind.co.uk/ https://mind.org.uk/

One in four adults experiences at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any given year. 9 out of 10 people who experience mental health problems say that they face stigma and discrimination as a result. Poor mental health in the workplace costs the UK an estimated £26billion a year. Recognising stress and mental health problems is not easy. Employees may take time off for odd reasons, be unproductive or unhappy at work, but the hard part is doing something about it and that is where Mental Health at Work can help managers by training them to start the conversation with a common language and literacy around mental health.

Mental Health, Mental Distress and Mental Illness clarified (Clarification de la santé mentale, de la détresse mentale et de la maladie mentale) Pour les sous-titres en français, choisissez les paramètres, les sous-titres, et la traduction automatique.

Delve into the fascinating world of adolescent brain development with Dr. Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine. In this enlightening video, Dr. Siegel unveils the intricacies of the adolescent brain's remodeling process, offering keen insights into the behaviors and motivations of young individuals during this transformative period. As a distinguished educator and esteemed practitioner, Dr. Siegel's expertise sheds light on the profound intersection of human relationships and biological processes. Gain a deeper understanding of why adolescents behave the way they do and uncover valuable perspectives for navigating this pivotal stage of life. #kindness #makekindnessthenorm #kindpeople #rakday #rakweek #randomactsofkindness #kindnessatschool #kindnessathome #kindnessatwork #kindnessideas #kindnessvideos #scienceofkindness #randomactsofkindnessday

How stress can be normal, necessary and helpful to us. (Comment le stress peut être normal, nécessaire et utile pour nous) Pour les sous-titres en français, choisissez les paramètres, les sous-titres, et la traduction automatique.

This video explains some of the things you can try when you feel overwhelmed by your thoughts. After the video, take a few moments to observe your thoughts with curiosity, paying attention to how each one makes you feel. Paying attention to your thoughts and sorting through them takes practice and patience. For more information, visit: https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/mentalhealth Subscribe to the AboutKidsHealth YouTube channel: http://ow.ly/CzrN50ClHN3 This video is provided for general information only. It does not replace a diagnosis or medical advice from a healthcare professional who has examined your child and understands their unique needs. Please speak with your doctor to check if the content is suitable for your situation. #MentalHealth #PositiveThinking #Mindfulness Follow us on: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aboutkidshealth Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aboutkidshealth Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aboutkidshealth TRANSCRIPT Every day, we have thousands of thoughts, emotions, urges, memories and feelings. From the time we wake up in the morning, all throughout the day, to when we lay down to sleep at night. No matter who we are, we all have thoughts swirling around in our heads. We even think and feel in our dreams. Often, we don’t realize how many thoughts we are having, and we get lost in them. Sometimes, we’re not even aware that we’re thinking. We seem to be swimming in a sea of our own thoughts. When we are surrounded by our thoughts, it’s easy to get caught up in them and react automatically, sometimes in ways we don’t even mean to react. We might hold onto some thoughts, even when we don’t want to, and it can feel like our thoughts are overwhelming. But thoughts are not facts, and they are not always true, even if they seem to be. Next time you feel caught up in your thoughts, try paying attention to them with curiosity, and not judgment. It doesn’t matter if they are true or false, right or wrong; just notice them. How fast or slow are they? Are they are all very different from each other? Or perhaps you are having the same ones over and over again. Maybe they’re even focused on one theme. Some of these thoughts may be unwanted. But instead of reacting to them, notice what happens to your body sensations and your emotions when you have these thoughts. Perhaps you will notice if they are bringing you closer to or further away from what is important to you or the goals you have for yourself. Observing your thoughts is a skill that takes practice, like playing an instrument. Sometimes it'll be easy for you to be able to notice and respond to your thoughts. Other times, you might have to work really hard to get some distance from them. You might even have to keep letting go of the same unwanted thought over and over again. But don’t give up. Keep trying. Like waves in the ocean, thoughts are always passing through our minds, and can affect how we feel and what we do. But they are not “us”, and we are not our thoughts. Learning to be aware of our thoughts can allow us to respond with more choice instead of reacting in ways we may regret. Observing our thoughts gives us some distance to see how our thoughts make us feel. We can then choose to act in ways that bring us closer to the things and the people that are important to us. Remember, you are not your thoughts. Try observing your thoughts with curiosity. Try it right now.

Following the global outbreak of COVID-19, social distancing has become a necessary preventative measure. Many people are experincing feelings of isolation and loneliness. What can you do to stay connected and healthy? Follow these tips. #COVID19 #MentalHealth __ Follow and subscribe to Psych Hub: https://www.facebook.com/PsychHubEd/ https://twitter.com/psychhub https://www.instagram.com/psychhubeducation/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/psychhubeducation/  Learning about mental health is crucial for us all to imagine a better future for everyone. Psych Hub's Mental Health Ally Certification learning hubs will help you become an important steward of your wellbeing and that of your loved ones. Start learning here: www.psychhub.com __ Psych Hub is an educational service, and the information in this video is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know are experiencing what you believe are mental health symptoms, please consult with a trained medical professional or a licensed mental health provider. We recommend consulting with a licensed behavioral health provider before trying any of the strategies mentioned in our materials. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For information on how to find support and treatment, and hotlines for specific issues and audiences, visit PsychHub.com/Hotline. If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call a national 24/7 hotline. For United States residents, those are: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 PHONE NUMBERS: Primary line: 1-800-273-8255 Ayuda en Español: 1-888-628-9454 Video relay service: 800-273-8255 TTY: 800-799-4889 Voice/Caption Phone: 800-273-8255 ONLINE CHAT: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ WEBSITE: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Crisis Text Line For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 TEXT NUMBER: US & Canada: Text HOME to 741741 UK: Text 85258 Ireland: Text 086 1800 280 WEBSITE: crisistextline.org © 2021 Psych Hub, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The current challenges brought about by COVID-19 for people all around the globe have caused fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for so many of us. It's important to understand you are not alone in how you are feeling right now, and there are practical, healthy ways to help cope with these emotions. Expand the description to find a list of free, 24/7 hotlines, and text lines below. #COVID19 #MentalHealth Follow and subscribe to Psych Hub: https://www.facebook.com/PsychHubEd/ https://twitter.com/psychhub https://www.instagram.com/psychhubeducation/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/psychhubeducation/  __ Psych Hub is an educational service, and the information in this video is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know are experiencing what you believe are mental health symptoms, please consult with a trained medical professional or a licensed mental health provider. We recommend consulting with a licensed behavioral health provider before trying any of the strategies mentioned in our materials. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For information on how to find support and treatment, and hotlines for specific issues and audiences, visit PsychHub.com/Hotline. If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call a national 24/7 hotline. For United States residents, those are: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 PHONE NUMBERS: Primary line: 1-800-273-8255 Ayuda en Español: 1-888-628-9454 Video relay service: 800-273-8255 TTY: 800-799-4889 Voice/Caption Phone: 800-273-8255 ONLINE CHAT: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ WEBSITE: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Crisis Text Line For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 TEXT NUMBER: US & Canada: Text HOME to 741741 UK: Text 85258 Ireland: Text 086 1800 280 WEBSITE: crisistextline.org © 2021 Psych Hub, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Our Stress-Free App for Finding The Best Kids’ Entertainment: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/appinstall To read the full report, head to: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/tweens-teens-tech-and-mental-health In the years leading up to 2020, researchers and advocates expressed growing concerns about a mental health crisis among young people in the United States. Alongside rising rates of depression and suicide, increased social media and technology use seemed like an obvious culprit at first—but the latest findings tell a more complex and nuanced story. When the coronavirus pandemic upended our lives, it introduced new social distancing requirements, public health challenges, and social unrest. Almost overnight, school, social activities, and work were all pushed online. It's too early to know the lasting effects of this radical shift in behavior. Instead, this report seeks to understand how best to reach adolescents who are disproportionately affected and most vulnerable, support them in digital spaces, and improve their mental health outcomes.

Hear from actual teens how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their lives - in both positive and negative ways.

Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. School can be rife with stress, anxiety, panic attacks and even burnout — but there's often no formal policy for students who need to prioritize their well-being. Hailey Hardcastle explains why schools should offer mental health days and allow students time to practice emotional hygiene without stigma. Follow along to learn how she and a team of fellow teens transformed their advocacy into law. The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here: http://media-requests.TED.com Follow TED on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: http://facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://youtube.com/TED

This video explains why pushing away unwanted thoughts, feelings and sensations can often make a situation worse. Use it when you are finding it hard to focus on the people and things that are important to you, or if you are spending too much energy avoiding your unwanted thoughts or feelings. After the video, take a moment to let all of your thoughts, feelings and sensations be with you, without pushing any of them away. For more information, visit: https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/mentalhealth Subscribe to the AboutKidsHealth YouTube channel: http://ow.ly/CzrN50ClHN3 This video is provided for general information only. It does not replace a diagnosis or medical advice from a healthcare professional who has examined your child and understands their unique needs. Please speak with your doctor to check if the content is suitable for your situation. #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Meditation Follow us on: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aboutkidshealth Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aboutkidshealth Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aboutkidshealth VIDEO TRANSCRIPT A full and meaningful life comes with a range of emotions and physical sensations: happiness, excitement, strength, but also fear, disappointment and pain. Like most people, you might prefer to avoid unwanted thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, especially if they are intense or overwhelming. Imagine your unwanted feelings as a beach ball that doesn’t go away. You might try different things to pretend the ball doesn’t exist. But when you throw it away, it bounces back. And when you move away from it, it follows you. Maybe you try to get rid of this beach ball by pushing it under water. You manage to keep it out of sight, but if you let go, the beach ball shoots right back up to the surface. So, you decide to keep holding the beach ball underwater. It’s a lot of hard work. Think about how much energy it takes to keep the ball down, and what you might be missing without realizing it. What would happen if you let the beach ball just be there? Or maybe even tried sitting with the beach ball for a while? Instead of actively ignoring the ball, or pushing it underwater, what if you chose to direct your energy instead towards activities and people that are important to you, whether the ball is there or not? Allowing unwanted thoughts, feelings or physical sensations to be there doesn’t mean you have to like them. It means that you are choosing to devote your energy towards the people and things that are important to you. Say your friends want to play a game, but you're feeling anxious or have pain in your stomach. Maybe you can’t play the full game with your friends, but you can still keep score or cheer them on! Sometimes it’s fun to just be around your friends, even if you can’t participate. Some unwanted thoughts, feelings and physical sensations may never fully go away. But you don’t have to devote your energy to suppressing or avoiding them. You can still be involved in activities, even if you need to pace yourself or take breaks now and then. Unwanted experiences are part of life for all of us, no matter who we are. It might take some effort and creativity, but even the smallest steps towards allowing your unwanted emotions and physical sensations to just be there can help you do the things that matter to you and let you live a fuller and more meaningful life.

This video explains what everyday mindfulness is, and how being aware of what is going on around you and inside of you can help make life more enjoyable and less stressful. For more information, visit: https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/mentalhealth This video is provided for general information only. It does not replace a diagnosis or medical advice from a healthcare professional who has examined your child and understands their unique needs. Please speak with your doctor to check if the content is suitable for your situation. #Mindfulness #MentalHealth Subscribe to the AboutKidsHealth YouTube channel: http://ow.ly/CzrN50ClHN3 Follow us on: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aboutkidshealth Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aboutkidshealth Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aboutkidshealth TRANSCRIPT Everyday mindfulness What is mindfulness? Often when people think about mindfulness they imagine someone sitting on a cushion alone in a room with their eyes closed. Sometimes that IS what mindfulness practice looks like, and sitting with your eyes closed in this way has great benefits… but mindfulness is also so much more. Mindfulness is a way to approach everyday life that makes living more enjoyable and less stressful. You can apply mindfulness to everything you do, whether you are eating, walking, or sitting in class. Mindfulness is a choice that you can make at any moment. Mindfulness can help you better understand how you feel and what you are experiencing. It is about being aware of the present moment, instead of replaying the past or worrying about the future. Mindful awareness means being aware, with kindness. It’s about being engaged in everyday life. Choosing to be nice to yourself and others in the present moment, and bringing an open awareness to all moments, whether those moments are pleasant, neutral, or maybe even unpleasant. Bringing to that awareness some curiosity and kindness, instead of judgement and criticism. You may be surprised at what you learn if you are curious and kind. This does not mean that you need to be meditating. You just need to be paying attention on purpose, with a little friendliness. This can help you with stress, or anxiety, or even sadness. It helps you focus on what is happening right now, because worrying about the future, or the past all the time can be exhausting. Practicing paying attention, in a kind way, to little things, can help train your mind so you can develop more ease across your life. Anything can be levelled up with mindfulness. Here are some examples of ways you can be mindful in everyday life. Right now, you might be sitting in a chair watching this video on your phone – how heavy does your phone feel in your hand? What parts of your hand is the phone touching? Is your phone hot? Warm? Or maybe cool? Are you sitting down? What parts of your body are being supported by the chair? If you are standing can you feel which parts of your feet are connected to the ground, Or where you are placing the weight of your body on your feet? This is all mindfulness! Or maybe, when you are talking with someone, instead of listening to them so that you can give them a response, or answer them, listen with the goal of understanding them better. This is a little change that can make a big difference in a conversation. The trick is not to automatically react to what you are paying attention to. Just notice what body sensations and emotions come up. Notice your reactions or judgement because there will be judgement, just try not to judge how judgmental you might be! There is no right or wrong, just noticing what is happening in the moment – this can be noticing what is going on around you, or inside of you. Let any and all things that you notice … be there. You can practice this type of mindfulness anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance. Simply be aware of what is happening in that moment. Like this moment; what are you noticing right now?

Stress less and rest easy with Headspace. Start your free trial today https://checkout.headspace.com/ We all get stressed from time to time. A little bit of stress can be beneficial, but when stress overwhelms you, it can have serious health implications including anxiety, depression and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, Headspace is scientifically proven to reduce stress. Find your sense of calm with this mini meditation. Start your mindfulness practice with a free trial today: https://checkout.headspace.com/ Learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness with a Headspace subscription. You’ll have access to hundreds of guided meditations, from bite-sized minis for when you’re short on time, singles to add some extra mindfulness to your day, and hundreds of sessions for everything from stress to sleep. Designed to help guide you on your meditation journey. Follow Us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Headspace Twitter - https://twitter.com/Headspace Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/headspace/

When stress got to be too much for TED Fellow Sangu Delle, he had to confront his own deep prejudice: that men shouldn't take care of their mental health. In a personal talk, Delle shares how he learned to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions. As he says: "Being honest about how we feel doesn't make us weak — it makes us human." The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Follow TED on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/TED

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-stress-affects-your-body-sharon-horesh-bergquist Our hard-wired stress response is designed to gives us the quick burst of heightened alertness and energy needed to perform our best. But stress isn’t all good. When activated too long or too often, stress can damage virtually every part of our body. Sharon Horesh Bergquist gives us a look at what goes on inside our body when we are chronically stressed. Lesson by Sharon Horesh Bergquist, animation by Adriatic Animation.