Prevention & Wellness Resources

Prevention & Wellness

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It is a feeling of fear or apprehension about what is to come. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous.

What is depression?
Depression is a mental health problem that expresses feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or hopelessness and loss of interest. In teens, it can affect the way they think, problem solve and interact. Peer pressure, school work and changes in body are among some symptoms of depression

Resources:

Anxiety in the Classroom

Understanding Depression for Parents

Dating Violence

What is Dating Violence?
Dating violence is a pattern of controlling behaviors that one partner uses against another in order to gain power in the relationship. The abuser can behave in ways that cause fear, isolation, shame and/or humiliation. Dating violence can be physical, mental, emotional or a combination of all three.

Resources
Montgomery County Womens Center
Teen Dating Violence

What can you do to support someone who is in an abusive relationship?
Learn about the problem. The best way to overcome any discomfort you feel about dating violence is by learning about it. Understanding how your friend or family member is struggling can help you see the world from his or her eyes.

Tell them you are concerned. Do not be afraid to reach out to a friend or family member who needs help.
Seek professional help. Help them connect to resources in the community that can offer information and guidance.
Do not contact the abuser or post negative things about them. Focus on your friend or family member. Being supportive and caring is the priority.

What Is Stress?
Stress is a response to pressure or threat. Under stress we may feel tense, nervous, or on edge. The stress response is physical, too. Stress triggers a surge of a hormone called adrenaline that temporarily affects the nervous system. As a result, when you’re nervous or stressed you might feel your heartbeat or breathing get faster, your palms get sweaty, or your knees get shaky.

What are some psychological and emotional signs that you are stressed out?

Depression or anxiety.
Anger, irritability, or restlessness.
Feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unfocused.
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
Racing thoughts or constant worry.
Problems with your memory or concentration.
Making bad decisions.

What are some common effects of stress?
Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your
behavior. Stress that is left unchecked can contribute to many health problems,
such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

What are some stress management techniques that I can use?

Take a 10 minute walk. According to a few experts, taking a walk will help increase endorphins in the system that reduce stress.
Practice mindfulness. Learning to focus on your breathing can help you reduce stress. Try meditation or yoga to relax your muscles.
Create an exercise regime. Being active will increase serotonin.
Write in a reflection journal or talk about things that you are grateful for and try to be positive.
Organize yourself and learn to manage time more effectively.
Make time for hobbies, interests and relaxation.
Laugh!
Seek out social support and spend time with those you enjoy. Practice social distancing, but not social isolation. Have family activities.
Accept that there are things you cannot control. Do not focus on those things you cannot change.
You cannot do everything at once. Set small targets that are easy to achieve.

Resources:

18 Mindfulness Games
Benefit of Laughter
Benefit of Exe rcise
Benefit of Sleep
Kids Health Stress in Teens
How to help children and teens manage their Stress?
Teen Stress and how to help

CDC Tips on Coping with Stress

Substance Abuse

What is substance use disorder?
Substance use disorders can occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs cause functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. Substance use disorders can range from mild to moderate to severe. Under age substance use can be an indicator of and/or lead to a substance use disorder and should always be taken seriously.

Resources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Get Smart About Drugs
Become a Smoke Free Teen

What can you do to support someone who is engaging in substance use?

Deal with your own feelings. You may feel shocked, confused, or even have your own struggles come up when dealing with substance use behaviors. Acknowledging your feelings is an important first step toward helping your loved one.
Learn about the problem. The best way to overcome any discomfort you feel about substance use is by learning about it. Understanding how your family member is struggling can help you see the world from his or her eyes.
Seek professional help. An assessment can help you and your loved one determine the severity of the problem as well as what treatment methods could be the most effective.
Do not be afraid to seek family services. Substance use can be confusing and straining for the individual and the whole family. It is okay and even beneficial to your loved one to seek help in dealing with these issues as a family.

HOW TO HELP
Your loved one is saying they want to hurt or kill themselves, take them seriously, and get them
help immediately.
Listen with empathy and give them hope.
Show them support. The emotional roller-coaster your loved one is experiencing could stem
from a fight, breakup, disappointment, or anything else. Do not disregard their feelings!

Warning signs:
Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
Looking for a way to kill themselves
Talking about feeling hopeless
Expressing no reason to live
Talking about being a burden to others
Giving away prize or personal possessions
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or isolating from previously enjoyed activities
Loss of relationship
Extreme mood swings
Previous suicidal attempts
Family history of suicide

Outside Resources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Crisis Text Line
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Local After School Hours Help
National Alliance on Mental Health Illness-Self Harm
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health-Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline