VOX ATL staff writer and Westlake High School student Isabella Cavienss highlights the successes of her classmates after a local news station did the opposite. Read on
Tag Archives: mental health
Five Ways to Stay Mentally Healthy During Pandemic and Protests [VIDEO]
by Zenobia Abrams, 16, Tri-Cities High School
A few weeks ago — actually more like a week ago— I found myself lying in bed, endless tears streaming down my face and snot going every place snot should not go, to the point where I had nothing else to let out. I can say with complete confidence that this was the lowest point of my COVID-19 experience, mostly because I had lost hope.
Whether it was “urgent news of rising death cases” or “escalating riots over George Floyd killing,” it felt like everywhere I turned something horrible was happening that I had zero control over. I noticed that while the majority of media highlighted protests and pandemic updates, it seemed like nobody was making a point to address the feelings and many emotions that come with times as stressful as these, and how we can better process each feeling without getting overwhelmed.
Especially as teenagers, we have to take it upon ourselves to check in mentally and embrace our emotions so we can understand them. Obviously, I don’t have all the secrets to help save the world, but here are some tips to help you gain control over your mental balance and change the world, starting within you!
What We Can Do About It
Create a Routine
Having a set routine helps you fill your time with meaningful activities while keeping your mind occupied so upsetting thoughts impact you less.
Get Your Body Moving
I recommend “moving your body around” rather than exercise because it sort of takes away the pressure of having to do some crazy intense workout to feel like you’re reaching your goal. There’s nothing wrong with getting your fitness on like that, but the main goal should be to get some type of movement in every day, regardless of its intensity.
Practice Mindfulness and Self Care
Getting used to checking in with yourself makes it easier for you to figure out how you feel and why you feel it. Whether it’s taking some deep breaths, full out meditation, or just glancing in the mirror from time to time, it’s really important that you gain awareness about how your mind and body feel so you can improve upon both!
Limit Media Use
Surprisingly enough, you have complete control over your media intake and can choose to turn off that TV or log out of Instagram if you feel like it isn’t good for you. A good practice can be to ask yourself, “Is this helping or hurting me?”
Reach Out to Friends
The simple feeling of being listened to and understood helps us in the most subtle, amazing ways. If you’re feeling like you need to get something out, call or text a friend to vent a bit and the results will show themselves. Also, don’t forget that it works both ways! Helping you feel better might be just what that friend needs to get away from their own worries. Helping others equals helping yourself.
Do a Little Soul Searching
Take the opportunity to find out more about yourself! What’s important to you and how can you use that passion to make a real difference? Soon we’ll be the ones making big decisions about the world. If we want to do a better job about living in a diverse, equitable, and equal world, what better time than now to begin?
You Are Not Alone
If you aren’t being told this enough, or at all, please know that your feelings and emotions are valid. No matter what your situation is or where you come from, you should never suppress those huge emotions and feelings that you have because they’re what make you so beautifully human. It’s 100% normal to feel angry or hopeless, like you’re spinning out of control or even simply falling. But the important thing, as my mom constantly reminds me, is to “never stay stuck there!” Remember that it will be okay —that you are okay.
Connect with VOX and me!
Please don’t be afraid to contact me through my Instagram (@zenobiabrams) or send a submission to editor@voxatl.org to share your story!
Resources:
Helplines: Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741, www.thecalmzone.net
Websites: http://teenmentalhealth.org/ , https://onemindpsyberguide.org/
Apps: Headspace, What’s Up, Mind Shift, Pacifica, Calm
VOX ATL's Isabella Cavienss speaks directly to teens who are living with and learning to understand their "underlying conditions." Read on
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‘Dear Adults:’ Teens Share Quarantine Frustrations in Video PSA
Social distancing — and schooling during social distancing — isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. While this is a difficult and strenuous time for many, we’ve heard a few assumptions regarding teens and mental health. To give adults a glimpse of what we’re going through, we put together a public service announcement against the backdrop of Zoom call. We want to address the notions that because we’re working from home, or that we’re young, we have it easy.
From technical difficulties to having an unprecedented pandemic color our thoughts and actions, learning through a screen for hours and staying confined to our homes can be mentally taxing. According to PsyCom, “academic stress, social stress, family discord, world events, traumatic events, and significant life changes” are six common triggers that lead to teen stress. At this current time, we’re experiencing most, if not all, of these, and stress can have a negative impact on mental and physical health.
Over time, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress can “contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.”
Although the school year is over, we are still facing isolation at home, while all summer programs, school, and most socializing takes place on video conferencing. Not to mention the ongoing stress of a pandemic and recent violence. Stress still rings loudly.
Tips from Teens to Show You Understand
With space and opportunity to acknowledge the problem, here are actionable tips for adults to positively connect with teens and create positive experiences this summer.
A regular time for family
In this time of general connection-deficiency, where the ability to truly connect is decreasing by the day, some responsibility falls upon families to make up for lack of outside contact. Sharing a space doesn’t necessarily inform support or community (especially when children grow beyond the age of necessary tending), but it definitely can and (especially in this case) should.
Some ways that parents could foster familial connection…could include taking a walk/hike together, cooking together, reading together, or building something as a family. With structure and fluid outside communication all but lost to the pandemic, having a regular time for family connection could certainly aid in making young people feel less alone.
– Dinah Rogers, 15, Decatur High School
Ask us what we’re up to and give us a break
In order for parents to ‘recognize our struggle,’ they have to ask us questions. Not only should y’all ask us questions, but you should also check in to see what we’ve been up to and realize our signs of stress or fatigue. I would like to hear parents ask more often: ‘How’s your day?’ or ‘What’s been on your mind lately?’ I would also like to see parents not over use their kids during this time. We understand we’re in the house all day, but that shouldn’t mean we have to clean all day everyday. Everyone deserves a break. Give it to us.
– Roderick Thomas, Jr., 16, Homeschooled
Be empathetic
Realizing that we are all going through a very difficult time in our lives, parents should dig deep into a time that was difficult for them and try to connect with our situation, and give support where teens need It. It is crucial to be an ally, and aid teens in an empathetic way to show us that our feelings are valued. Adults and the youth must work together to help one another in this difficult time.
– India Rice, 16, Westlake High
Hear us out — fully
Make sure that you listen to your teens in order to understand, not to respond. If they are trying to explain how they feel to you, try not to interrupt them while speaking and wait until they finish. This will help them express their feelings and let them know that you care about what they have to say.
– Christina Norris, 19, Georgia State University
Suggest outside time
This new life without school and work structure is difficult for everyone, no matter their ability to regulate themselves and their time. Sometimes, the best thing a parent can do is to remind their kid to get some fresh air. A bit of time outside may do more good than you think.
– Dinah Rogers, 15, Decatur High School
Acknowledge us
Sometimes, all teens need is for parents to acknowledge and understand what they are going through and having to handle in times of isolation and overwhelming situations, such as what we are living through now.
– Emory, 17, Walton High School
Featured in the video: Cayla Lamar, India Rice, Christina Norris, Isabella Cavienss, Dinah Rogers, Emory Paul, Roderick Thomas Jr.
Special thanks to our producer for this video, Darriea Clark, VOX ATL alumna and Special Projects Editor.
Music credit: Bensounds.com
VOX ATL’s mental health coverage and community workshops are funded by the Georgia Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities. (DBHDD). Views expressed in this material are the work of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the GA DBHDD.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text one of these resources!
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) – 1-800-715-4225, available 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) also offers 24/7 connection with a trained counselor at a local crisis center, or Text “START” to 741-741
The Trevor Project – suicide prevention hotline for LGTBQ youth ages 13-24, Text “Trevor” to 202-304-1200 Thurs.-Fri. (4-8 p.m.) or call (866) 488-7386 – 24/7