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.