Mental Health Journal Mental Health Journal

1.1. What gives you stress?What gives you stress?

2.2. How do you cope/deal with stress? How do you cope/deal with stress?

3.3. What makes you feel better?What makes you feel better?

Fight or FlightFight or Flight

Fight or Flight response is the body’s natural response to a Fight or Flight response is the body’s natural response to a stressor. Hormones like stressor. Hormones like adrenalin and and cortisolcortisol are released, are released, speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of , giving the body a burst of energy and strength.energy and strength.

How stress affects our body and our mind!

Effects of StressEffects of Stress

depression depression diabetes diabetes hair loss hair loss heart disease heart disease hyperthyroidism hyperthyroidism obesity obesity obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder sexual dysfunction sexual dysfunction tooth and gum disease tooth and gum disease ulcers ulcers cancercancer

Personality Traits that Personality Traits that Influence StressInfluence Stress

Perfectionism Perfectionism Type A Personality Type A Personality Pessimism Pessimism External Locus of Control External Locus of Control Poor CommunicationPoor Communication Addictive or Unhealthy Behaviors Addictive or Unhealthy Behaviors Anger Anger Rumination and Obsessing Rumination and Obsessing Distorted ThinkingDistorted Thinking

DepressionDepressionDepressionDepression- A medical illness caused by chemical - A medical illness caused by chemical

imbalance in the brain.imbalance in the brain.

Can affect the Can affect the WHOLE WHOLE body:body:- ThoughtsThoughts- FeelingsFeelings- BehaviorsBehaviors- Physical HealthPhysical Health

DepressionDepression

*Can be caused by the inability to cope with a life *Can be caused by the inability to cope with a life crisiscrisis

Life CrisisLife Crisis- - An experience that causes a high level of An experience that causes a high level of stressstress

Examples of a life crisis?...Examples of a life crisis?...

DepressionDepression

5 emotional responses used to cope:5 emotional responses used to cope:

1. 1. DenyingDenying- Not wanting to believe that this has happened to - Not wanting to believe that this has happened to them.them.2. 2. Being Angry- Being Angry- Being frustrated with the situation realizing Being frustrated with the situation realizing

that there is nothing they can dothat there is nothing they can do3. 3. BargainingBargaining- Trying to figure out what you can do to make it - Trying to figure out what you can do to make it

better, reasoning.better, reasoning.4. 4. Being depressed- Being depressed- Not accepting the situation, thinking there Not accepting the situation, thinking there

is nothing worse.is nothing worse.5. 5. AcceptingAccepting- Realizing that this has happened and moving on.- Realizing that this has happened and moving on.

SymptomsSymptoms Deep SadnessDeep Sadness Apathy- lack of interest or concernApathy- lack of interest or concern FatigueFatigue Agitation-nervousnessAgitation-nervousness Sleep disturbancesSleep disturbances Weight or appetite changesWeight or appetite changes Lack of concentrationLack of concentration Feelings of worthlessnessFeelings of worthlessness Morbid thoughtsMorbid thoughts

CopingCoping

- Talk with a trusted adultTalk with a trusted adult- Stay connected with friendsStay connected with friends- Have a good sense of nutritionHave a good sense of nutrition- Avoid the use of alcohol & other drugsAvoid the use of alcohol & other drugs- Seek help if depression continuesSeek help if depression continues

TreatmentTreatment

Physical ExaminationPhysical Examination TherapyTherapy Medication:Medication:

Anti-depressantAnti-depressant – a drug used to relieve depression – a drug used to relieve depression

Over 90% of cases of depression can be Over 90% of cases of depression can be successfully treated!!successfully treated!!

SUICIDESUICIDE

Why address it?Why address it?- 33rdrd leading cause of death for ages 15-24 leading cause of death for ages 15-24- Fastest growing age group is 10-14Fastest growing age group is 10-14- Approximately 750,000 Americans attempt suicideApproximately 750,000 Americans attempt suicide- Approximately 30,000 people die each yearApproximately 30,000 people die each year

Teenage Stress FactorsTeenage Stress Factors- Abuse of alcohol or drugsAbuse of alcohol or drugs- Death of parent, parent separation or divorceDeath of parent, parent separation or divorce- Being excludedBeing excluded- Sexual orientationSexual orientation- Being made fun ofBeing made fun of- DepressionDepression- Gender identity issuesGender identity issues- Impulsive and or/aggressive behaviorImpulsive and or/aggressive behavior- Mental disorderMental disorder

Warning SignsWarning Signs

Someone threatening to kill themselvesSomeone threatening to kill themselves Someone looking for ways to kill themselvesSomeone looking for ways to kill themselves

- 60% of all people who complete suicide use a 60% of all people who complete suicide use a firearmfirearm

- Someone talking or writing- dying/suicideSomeone talking or writing- dying/suicide- HopelessnessHopelessness- Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revengeRage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

Warning Signs Warning Signs (continued)(continued)

Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinkingseemingly without thinking

Increase in alcohol or drug use- 50% of people who Increase in alcohol or drug use- 50% of people who attempt suicide are under the influence at a timeattempt suicide are under the influence at a time

Withdraw from friends, family and societyWithdraw from friends, family and society Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep/sleeping all the Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep/sleeping all the

timetime

Warning Signs Warning Signs (continued)(continued)

Dramatic mood changesDramatic mood changes No reason for living; no sense of purpose in lifeNo reason for living; no sense of purpose in life Giving away prized possessionsGiving away prized possessions Struggling with gender identity or sexual orientationStruggling with gender identity or sexual orientation

How Can You Help?How Can You Help?

STEP 1STEP 1: STAY with the person- unless there is a risk : STAY with the person- unless there is a risk of harm to yourselfof harm to yourself

STEP 2STEP 2: Listen- : Listen- reallyreally listen listen

STEP 3STEP 3: Get, or call for help immediately- Call your : Get, or call for help immediately- Call your parent, their parent, school counselor, pastor or parent, their parent, school counselor, pastor or rabbi or crisis hotlinesrabbi or crisis hotlines

It is OK to ASK for HelpIt is OK to ASK for Help

AA- Ask for help- Ask for help

SS- Secrets can be deadly- Secrets can be deadly

KK- Keep a support circle- a group of friends and adults - Keep a support circle- a group of friends and adults that make you feel comfortablethat make you feel comfortable

Coping StrategiesCoping Strategies

Spend time with friends and familySpend time with friends and family Consider the role of spirituality in your lifeConsider the role of spirituality in your life Laugh, keep your sense of humorLaugh, keep your sense of humor Volunteer, you are neededVolunteer, you are needed Exercise regularlyExercise regularly Eat RightEat Right

GoalsGoals What is the importance of setting goals?What is the importance of setting goals?

What are some of your short term and long term What are some of your short term and long term goals?goals?

How about a bucket list? Do you have one? What How about a bucket list? Do you have one? What would you include on this list?would you include on this list?