We most likely have all heard about the benefits of walking throughout the day. However, do you know about the importance of paying attention to your breath during the day? This is something Apple Watch users are reminded to do through the Breathe app (in addition to the reminders for standing and moving). Why does the Apple Watch have this helpful reminder? Because taking a minute or so during the day to focus on relaxing, breathing and meditating can help remove stress and reduce anxiety.
This practice of meditation, although quick, can be a great way to relax and get your thoughts back on track! Also, check out this awesome website called Stop, Breathe & Think– It has fantastic information that can help you learn how to meditate and do yoga exercises. Teaching teens how to use mindfulness to cope with stress is a healthy way to help with depression and/or anxiety.
Did you check out this website? Did you or your teen find any of the exercises helpful? Are there any other ways that you or your teen use mindfulness to relax? Let us know in the comments!!!
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” – J. B. Priestly
We hope you had a pleasant and enjoyable holiday weekend. Now that summer is slowly ending, it might be the perfect time to start something new (research shows it’s hard to start new things in the winter). Is there anything you want to start? We’d love to hear from you.
Being mindful can have huge effects on you life! One way to help increase your mindfulness is to use a mindfulness app on your phone. One we recommend is Calm (iOS or Android) or your can visit the Calm.com website. We think that using technology to our benefit is a great way to help adolescents (and ourselves) connect with themselves.
If you are looking for some great mental health organizations to connect with, look no further! The following ten twitter accounts tweet great mental health material related to wellness, awareness, and eliminating stigma. Even if you don’t have twitter and you’re looking to see what these organizations are all about, you can view their tweets without having to sign up. Also most of them have other social media accounts and their own websites.
National Suicide Prevention Month begins on September 1st. MTV got an early start to awareness month with a VMA performance by Logic of his song “1-800-273-8255.” The song’s title is the same number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The performance also included Alessia Cara and Khalid, as well as a group of suicide attempt survivors who wore t-shirts up on stage with the number to the suicide helpline.
MTV – VMAs 2017
The opening lines of song are from the perspective of someone in the need of help. As the song continues, the next lyrics are sung from a place of support, specifically the perspective of a suicide hotline crisis worker. The song calls attention to the importance of suicide and mental health.
A recent study which included 32 children’s hospital across the United States revealed an alarming increase in self-harm and suicidality in children and teens ranges from ages 5 to 17 over the past decade. When someone expresses suicidal thoughts, it is critical to not dismiss their feelings or minimize the weight of the issues preventing them from wanting to live. The Center for Disease control list death by suicide as the number 1 cause of death in the 15-19 age group. According to the National Data on Campus Suicides, ‘1 in 12 college students have written down a suicide plan as a result of stresses related to school, work, relationships, social life, and still developing as a young adult.’ The trend for suicide deaths is on an upward climb. A 2015 study by the Center for Disease Control state there were twice as many suicides than homicides in the United States. It’s time we end the stigma and myths surrounding suicide attempt survivors “doing it for the attention.” Suicidal thoughts may be an ongoing struggle instead of a one-off event to prevent. In this case, we need to arm loved ones and at risk individuals with information as well as tools and resource to manage their mental health status.
After his performance, Logic made the following statement on stage:
“I just want to take a moment to thank you for giving me a platform to talk about something that mainstream media doesn’t want to talk about: mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression and so much more. From racism, discrimination, sexism, domestic violence, sexual assault, and so much more; I don’t [care] if you are black, white, or any color in between. I don’t care if you’re Christian, you’re Muslim, you’re gay, you’re straight, I am here to fight for your equality because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight. We must fight for the equality of every man, woman, and child regardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation. So I say here and now if you believe in this message of peace, love, positivity, and equality for all, then I demand that you rise to your feet and applaud not only for yourselves, but for the foundation we are laying for our children.”
Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, John Draper, said in an interview that the impact the song is having is quite extraordinary. Draper was reported as saying “On the day the song was released, we had the second-highest call volume in the history of our service. Overall, calls to the hotline are up roughly 33% from this time last year.”
Suicide Warning Signs
SAMSHA – Twitter 2017
In addition to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, another useful resource is the Crisis Text Line in which individuals can text a trained mental health professional and typically receive a response back within 5 minutes., You can begin by texting “START to 741741”.
If you have not seen this powerful VMA performance, you can watch it below.
What do you or your child think of Logic’s musical performance? Have you both seen it? What do you think about his message?
We would love to hear from you in the comment section below!
Also, if you or someone you know is at risk for harming themselves, please let someone know. Please visit our Crisis Support Resources page for more information.
Stigma is often talked about with mental health. However, do you know there are different kinds of stigma such as self-stigma? Self-stigma happens when an individual suffering from mental illness accepts the negative and inaccurate views of others about themselves and their mental health.
Self-stigma influences how people feel about themselves. It also has a significant impact on their behavior and actions. Self-stigma frequently leads those suffering from mental illness to not come forward or seek help for their illness because they don’t want the label that comes with it. Even worse, stigma becomes another obstacle and can leave individuals feeling isolated. This can all lead to low self-esteem and can work against successful treatment, support, and recovery.
What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment.
What habits of Happiness do you already practice? What new ones would you like to add to your life? Would you practice happiness habits together with your child?
But if you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own
Don’t break his heart
Yeah if you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own
Don’t break his heart
Do you listen to music when you’re feeling depressed or anxious? What do you listen to? Share with us!
Sometimes we see our children, other family members or friends post about their feelings on social media. If you see that someone you care about is feeling upset, try sending them a nice message! Letting someone know you are there for them through a tough time might be the exact support they are looking for. It is also okay to send someone a message when they post about being happy or excited! Saying “congratulations” or “great job” in a private message is reassuring and will make your friends feel awesome!
In the past we have written about the 
