Mental Health and Wellness
Spring Newsletter
Look at what you've accomplished...
Semester 1= Done!!!
In case you forgot, here is a list of things you made it through:
- Snow days
- Midterms
- Semester 1 grades
- Course registrations
- Lots of rain
- and more!!!
Continue to hone in on your strengths and address future challenges with a positive mindset.
5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mental Health
Spring cleaning is not just about tidying up your physical space. It can also be a great way to boost your mental health and wellness. Check out our tips from Dr. Kelly Holes-Lewis, Psychiatrist with Modern Minds, on how to spring clean for your mental health:
- Declutter your physical space. A cluttered physical environment can cause stress and anxiety. Take some time to go through your belongings and get rid of things you no longer need or use. A clean and organized space can help clear your mind and improve your mood.
- Let go of – or better yet – simply make space for negative thoughts. Spring is a time of renewal and growth. Take some time to reflect on any negative thoughts or beliefs that may be holding you back. Consider writing them down and then letting them go literally by tearing up your paper; or alternatively, keep them in a journal and look back on the progress you’ve made over time.
- Create a self-care routine. Self-care is important for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to create a self-care routine that works for you. This includes things like meditation, exercise and spending time outside.
- Connect with others. Spring is a great time to reconnect with friends and family members. Reach out to someone who you haven’t talked with in awhile and plan a get-together. Bonus points if it’s outside!
- Practice gratitude. Gratitude has been shown to have a positive impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. Take some time to reflect on the things in your life for which you are grateful. Consider starting a gratitude journal where you write down something daily that you are grateful for in your life.
The Transformative Power of Spring
How Gardening can Impact Your Mental Health
Exercise: Gardening can improve strength, flexibility and balance.
Time in nature: Getting outdoors is good for your physical and mental health. People tend to breathe deeper when outside. This helps to clear out the lungs, improves digestion, improves immune response and increases oxygen levels in the blood.
Reduced stress levels: Nearly all forms of exercise can reduce stress including gardening. It's been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It's very gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share your own food.
Self Injury Awareness Month
March is Self-Injury Awareness Month..
Many people misunderstand self-injury. Those who engage in self-injury behaviors may be dealing with extreme stress, trauma, or other diagnosed condition. They may also have trouble expressing strong emotions. If someone you care about is struggling and you notice signs of self-injury, it is important to refrain from judgment and offer support. If you are struggling with self-injury or thoughts of self-injury, it is important to seek help.
Whether you are engaging in self-injury or are affected by a loved one who is, these resources can offer support and guidance..
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988
The Trevor Project, for LGBTQIA+ youth: Call 1-866-488-7386
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
**Anyone, regardless of age, or background, might experience self-injury thoughts or behaviors.**
**Self-injury behaviors are not the same as suicide attempts, but they can overlap with thoughts about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support.**
Presentations coming to LMSD..
Victim Services Center of MontCo
The Victims Services Center of Montgomery County will be visiting Harriton’s 9th and 11th grade classes to discuss why consent, communication, and respect, are important in relationships. The 9th grade lesson will focus on Project SELFIE which highlights being safe online, consensual communication, and digital boundaries.
The 9th grade presentations at Harriton are scheduled for April 30-May 3 and the 11th grade, May 20-23.
The 9th grade presentations at Lower Merion are scheduled for Part 1 – April 16th and 18th
Part 2 – April 24th and April 26th
Victims Services Center has a variety of resources for the community, including support groups, education/training for schools and parents, and more. For information on these resources, visit their website: https://www.victimservicescenter.org/groups.
Main Character Energy
2024 Spring Trend Prediction: reading for fun
Some books allow us to travel to different worlds and some help us understand the world we're already living in...
Take a look at these books that offer lessons in life, love, and growth...
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, by Jamie Ford
-healing and breaking generational cycles-
How to Do Nothing, by Jenny Odell
-self-reflection, getting offline, and strengthening relationships-
The Gilded Ones, by Namina Forna
-a story of outcasts turned warriors-
Turtles All The Way Down, by John Green
- compulsion, mystery, bravery-
Infectious Generosity, by Chris Anderson
-true stories on how far "paying it forward" can go-
Snowglobe, by Soyoung Park
-dystopian, thriller, fame-
Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
-women in STEM-
A short guide to understanding mental health and fighting stigma...
Mental Illness: People can experience different types of mental illness or disorders. A person can experience more than one mental illness at one time. Mental illnesses can be ongoing and require continued treatment, or they can be episodic, meaning they come and go with discrete beginnings and ends.
Mental Health: Refers to the clinical aspect of improving the ability to cope; seeking professional care, taking prescriptions as advised, and monitoring symptoms.
Mental Wellness: Refers to an individual's ability to utilize coping mechanisms to reduce symptoms of mental illness, such as practicing self-care, creating boundaries in relationships, mitigating stressors, getting enough sleep, being physically active, and much more. It is important to acknowledge that experiences with mental health, mental illness, and wellness can vary across different cultures, backgrounds, and communities. For instance, in some cultures, seeking professional help for mental health concerns may be stigmatized, while in others, it may be encouraged.
Individuals across many cultures find it uncomfortable to talk about mental health and mental illness. However, discussing it openly and providing examples of coping mechanisms can help reduce stigma and spread accurate and helpful information about something that affects us all. Discussing difficult experiences can bring people together and let others know they are not alone. Practicing mental wellness is an important way of life for everybody, not just those who are diagnosed with an illness. An example that impacts us all is stress, a disturbance that can cause negative effects on both our psychological and physical health. Managing and reducing stress can be achieved by learning about mental wellness and practicing different methods of self-care and mindfulness.
Becoming comfortable with talking about mental health is an important step to being proactive about your mental wellness and making improvements to your life. If you feel impacted by stressors affecting your mental health and you need support, talk with your parent/guardian, your school counselor or wellness counselor.
If you are in need of immediate distress and need support, reach out to any of the resources below.
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis
Mindful Breathing
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Who is my Mental Health & Wellness Counselor?
Miss. Maravelias
Harriton High School
Email: maravea@lmsd.org
Mrs. Stief
Lower Merion High School
Email: stiefc@lmsd.org