• If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed 

    ASK FOR HELP!  

    Talk to an adult you trust. 

    Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

    Helpful Links:  Each of the organizations below provides excellent resources for students and families.

    https://childmind.org/

    https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

    https://www.understood.org/en

     

    Helping teenagers with stress.  (205).  American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 66.

     Teenagers, like adults, experience stress every day and can benefit from learning stress management skills.  Teens feel stress when they see something as dangerous, difficult or painful.  Some sources of stress are school demands, self-esteem issues, body changes, friendship problems, family issues, too many activities and financial problems.  Without the skills, stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, physical illness, and poor choices.  The “fight, flight, or freeze” response includes faster heart rate and faster breathing, increased blood to the muscles, cold or clammy hands, an upset stomach or a sense of dread.

    When the danger disappears, the stress decreases.  A teen calms down.  This “relaxation response” includes slower heart beat and a greater sense of well-being.  Teens that develop management skills for stress feel less helpless and find more choices to respond to stress.

    Parents can also help by monitoring their teen’s stress level through their behavior, health, thoughts and feelings.  A parent needs to carefully listen to their teen and watch for overloading.  They, themselves, can be a model for stress management and pass this on to their child.  Parents need to support their teen’s activities, both in sports and social areas.

    Teens can help themselves in the following ways:

    ·        Exercise and eat regularly.

    ·        Avoid caffeine to not increase anxiety.

    ·        Stay away from illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

    ·        Learn relaxation techniques that will help deal with stress. 

    ·        Anger management skills are necessary to deal with stressful situations. 

    ·        Identify what is stressful and practice those situations which cause stress.

    ·        Work on coping skills, making “big stress” into smaller, manageable tasks.

    ·        Work on getting rid of negative thoughts. Learn to think more positively.

    ·        Learn to feel good about success and not always being perfect.

    Take a break from stress by listening to music, talking with a friend, writing, drawing or spending time  with a pet.

    *If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed, ask for help.  Talk to an adult you trust.  Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Last Modified on October 17, 2023