LIFE IN THE MIDDLE ~ JANUARY ~
A Mental Health and Wellness Newsletter from CMS Counselors
IN THIS ISSUE: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
IMPORTANT DATES
January 7: Teacher Workday/No School For Students
January 8: 2nd Semester begins!
January 21: No School
2019 - 2020 Course Selection Dates for Current 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students: https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/Page/2426
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps influence how we relate to others, make choices and handle stress. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from pre-school though adulthood. It can move on a continuum from well being to mental illness. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. (MentalHealth.gov)
Just as a parent can help prevent a child from getting a cold, or protect them from injury, they can also help prevent mental health issues. Many people are aware of how to stay physically healthy - nutritious food, physical activity, immunizations, etc - but the basics of mental health and wellness aren't always as clear. A child's mental health, just like their physical health, needs to be given thought and consideration. Mental Health matters.
HOW DO I PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS?
Often times a barrier to promoting mental wellness is our own perception. We can begin to change the way we view mental heath and hep change the stigma associated with mental illness by awareness.
Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-Being
1. Take Care - eat well, stay well, sleep well.
2. Check In - with family, friends, counselors
3. Engage - you can't be healthy emotionally if you are not in healthy relationships
4. Relax - be active, mediate, read, dance, love...
5. Know - educate yourself on the signs of mental suffering
KNOW THE SIGNS OF MENTAL SUFFERING
Did you know that one in ten young people may have a mental health problem at any given time? But unfortunately, of those, only one in five will get help through mental health services. And without help, these problems can lead to bigger problems: poor school performance; conflicts with friends, peers or family; and sometimes even substance-abuse problems. Remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health!
So, pay attention to the "Warning Signs." Someone who is currently going through a mental health problem may be . . .
Troubled by feeling:
- really sad and hopeless without good reason, and the feelings don’t go away;
- extremely fearful – has unexplained fears or more fears than most children;
- angry most of the time, overreacts to things;
- anxious or worried a lot more than other kids your own age.
Limited by:
- poor concentration;
- difficulty making decisions, sitting still or focusing;
- need to perform certain routines dozens of times a day;
- regular nightmares.
Experiencing big changes:
- does much worse in school;
- loses interest in things usually enjoyed;
- avoids friends and family;
- talks about suicide;
- hears voices that cannot be explained;
- has changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
Behaving in ways that cause problems:
- uses alcohol or other drugs;
- does things that can be life threatening;
- hurts other people;
- destroys property or breaks the law.
Excerpted from : http://schoolmentalhealth.org/
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL WELLNESS
Social Media affects mental health through:
- Increased time, increased risk. The more time adolescents are engaged with social media outlets, the higher the risk there is for poor sleep, low self-esteem, and increases in depression or anxiety. The more emotionally invested they are in one site in particular, the more pressure and anxiety they may experience to be available and up-to-date at all times.
- Poorly advised. It’s nothing new; teens have always been wary of asking parents or other adults for advice. With hundreds of friends on social media in the palm of their hands, teenagers often turn to social networks to seek advice that is often misguided.
- Instigated fights. Cyberbullying has become a concern for parents of adolescents. Strangers, even friends, are able to hide behind the screen and say things they often wouldn’t be able to face-to-face. Teens often encounter fights on Facebook, tweeting on Twitter and hurtful comments on Instagram – tactics often used just for the purpose of putting down others.
- Skewed perceptions and social comparison. It is common for teens, especially girls, to experience pressure to appear “perfect” online. The need to appear to have perfect hair, to look skinny or fit, to have the perfect group of friends or the need to get the right amount of likes can consume teens. Not meeting these invisible standards can cause self-loathing and self-doubt. Social comparison, loneliness and jealousy can result when friends on social media “appear” more popular and attractive or on a glamorous vacation, which can trigger depressive feelings.
Excerpted from: http://northshore.org
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
- Care for your children’s mental health just as you do for their physical health.
- Pay attention to warning signs, and if you’re concerned there might be a problem seek professional help.
- Let your children know that everyone experiences pain, fear, sadness, worry, and anger and that these emotions are a normal part of life; encourage them to talk about their concerns and to express their emotions.
- Be a role model—talk about your own feelings, apologize, don’t express anger with violence, and use active problem-solving skills.
- Encourage your children’s talents and skills, while also accepting their limitations. Celebrate your children’s accomplishments.
- Give your children opportunities to learn and grow, including being involved in their school and community and with other caring adults and friends.
- Think of “discipline” as a form of teaching, rather than as physical punishment; set clear expectations and be consistent and fair with consequences for misbehavior; make sure to acknowledge both positive and negative behaviors.
Social Media:
- Education. It is beneficial for parents to understand what social media is being used for by their teen and how. Being educated in how they use it will help parents understand the risks involved.
- Communication. Parents should have frequent conversations with their teens about the safety of social media, how much personal information should and shouldn’t be shared and about cyberbullying. Studies show that teenagers who had their parents talk to them often, engaged in less risky behaviors.
- Monitor time. Enforce rules to limit excessive use of social media. Examples of limiting time may include no phones at the table, no phone in car rides during errands or turning off WiFi at bedtime.
- Healthy attitudes. To minimize social comparison and envy, parents and teens should talk about the distorted views of friends’ lives that are presented on social media. Teens should feel confident, not more depressed, after viewing social media. Encourage using social media not only to post about our best moments but our quieter ones.
Excerpted from www.mentalhealthamerica.net ;
Excerpted from: http://northshore.org
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Mental disorders in children are treatable. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment help children reach their full potential and improve the family dynamic. Children’s mental health matters! To learn more, talk to a doctor, mental health professional or visit one of the websites below.
Resources
Mental Health America
800-969-6MHA
www.mentalhealthamerica.net
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org
American Psychiatric Association
www.psych.org
American Psychological Association
www.apa.org
Center for Parents and Information Resources
www.parentcenterhub.org
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
www.ffcmh.org
Kids Mental Health Information Portal
www.kidsmentalhealth.org
How can my child meet with their counselor?
1. Teacher Referral
2. Parent Referral
3. Self Referral
We meet with students for many reasons:
1. Academic - Performance, struggles, test taking strategies, study skills etc.
2. Friendship/ Peer/Social Concerns
3. Personal Concerns
4. Behavioral Concerns
5. Stress/Anxiety
6. Responsive Services - meeting their immediate needs and concerns
If you have a concern and you would like for a counselor to meet with your child, please contact your child's grade level counselor via email or phone.
Thank you!
CMS Counseling Staff
8th Grade Counselor
Paula Lynn
7th Grade Counselor
Paula.lynn@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: http://cmscounselor.edublogs.org/
Phone: 817.949.5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMSDragonsCounselors/