Raising Awareness
March 2 is World Teen Mental Wellness Day, a day that aims to “raise greater awareness of mental health issues among teens, as well as provide education about removing stigmas surrounding preventative mental health.” Now more than ever, young people are struggling especially with issues such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Created by the clothing chain Hollister in partnership with National Day Calendar in 2020, it was the first of its kind dedicated to mental wellness among the teen demographic. Social media users are directed to use the hashtag #WorldTeenMentalWellnessDay on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to help raise awareness for this worthy cause.
Teen Mental Wellness
You can watch and share their YouTube video, Disrupt the Stigma for World Teen Mental Wellness Day here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak0NrKVblS4&feature=emb_logo
The National Alliance on Mental Illness says if you suspect something is wrong there are ways you can help:
- Let them know you care– If you’re worried about friend’s behavior, let them know you care. Focus on being nonjudgmental, compassionate and understanding. Use “I” instead of “you” comments to get the conversation started, such as “I’ve noticed that you seem sad/frustrated/lonely lately. Is everything okay?”
- Involve trusted others – If you find a friend is in need of additional support, you don’t need to handle it alone. Ask a friend, parent, or even school counselor for help. Try to find someone who might be understanding of your friend’s situation or be able to help. Your friend may feel overwhelmed or blindsided by many people being involved, so make sure you discuss it with them. “I have noticed you seem sad lately, and I want you to know I’m here to support you. Is it okay if we ask _____ to help support you also?” However, if it’s an emergency, you should call 911 and get an authority figure.
- Just be there – Oftentimes you may feel helpless or like you don’t know what to say or do to “fix” things. In reality, many times just sitting with someone, being available to talk to, and having a sympathetic ear are a great relief to people who are struggling.
Additional Resources for Teens
The National Institute of Mental Health offers additional information on child and adolescent mental health, including warning signs and health hotlines you can call for additional help.
It may be helpful for children and teens to save several emergency numbers to their cell phones. The ability to get immediate help for themselves or for a friend can make a difference.
- The phone number for a trusted friend or relative
- The non-emergency number for the local police department
- The Crisis Text Line: 741741
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Centered Recovery is committed to helping create a healthy community for our clients, which in turn helps create healthier living environments for their children and families at home. Our clients are provided resources such as reading material, podcasts, and websites that they can use to help talk to their families about addiction and mental health issues. If you are struggling with addiction and want to learn more about our program, please call 678-977-6467 to speak to our Client Services Director today.
