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Teen Health: Mental Health
02:45

Teen Health: Mental Health

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.
You are not your thoughts
04:00

You are not your thoughts

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.
COVID-19 Social Isolation
03:59

COVID-19 Social Isolation

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.
COVID-19 and Mental Health
05:45

COVID-19 and Mental Health

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.
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