Communication
This is the first step in proper communication when asking for help with mental health
What is setting up a time and place to have the conversation?
This usually is a physical sign of anxiety or depression. Pepto Bysmol might not be enough to handle this one!
What is an upset stomach?
This is an easy coping mechanism that you do all the time, daily! Just add a little more structure to it..
What is breathing?
This is a resource that you have access to at home, given the right circumstances. Just takes a conversation.
What is my parent/guardian?
We should use "these" types of statements when communicating our signs/symptoms to others so that they can understand specifics
What are "I Feel..." Statements
This is a common symptom of anxiety and depression that makes you feel tired.
What is difficulty sleeping?
Taking one of these can be a good form of exercise and allow you to take a break before re-approaching a situation
What is a walk?
YOU can also be a great resource. In this scenario, this is someone who may reach out to you for help and it is important that you handle the situation with care and responsibility.
What is a friend?
It may be difficult and uncomfortable to do, but this is a sign of strength when someone is struggling with mental health
What is asking for help?
Usually this is a sign that someone around you could be aware of if you have anxiety or depression, especially if the behavior change was very sudden.
Not participating in activities that you used to enjoy.
This is something to understand about coping mechanisms if one method doesn't work for you.
What is that Everyone is different! Not all coping mechansims work for everyone. Make yours right for you.
This is a great resource that we have at our school- someone who can listen to my issues and try to get me some help.
What is the school social worker and/or school counselor?
This strategy generally tends to work best when someone is concerned about their mental health and is talking to you about it. Usually someone just needs to have a conversation without answers coming right back at them.
What is, listening without throwing out a bunch of solutions.
If someone is showing this emotional symptom of anxiety/depression, especially when it feels unwarranted, it could be a sign that you should talk to them about getting some help.
What is irritability/anger?
This would be something you could do right now for a few minutes or even an up to an hour as part of a stress-management plan.
What is a short-term stress management strategy?
This is the number for a national hotline that most of us have researched already when looking at mental health resources
988!
When communicating about mental health, it is really important to include this final step so that people or resources can have a general idea of where and how to support you.
What is, be specific about what help/supports you need!
This is best practice when working with people about your mental help so that they do not offer a solution that actually makes your situation worse or does not improve
What is be specific about your needs when asking for help!
This would be something you do more as a routine and on a consistent basis as a part of your stress-management plan.
What is a long-term stress management strategy?
There are both local (city/county) and regional (state) resources available online that can point me in the right direction. However if I wanted to go to a reliable source for mental health resources on a national scope, this is the agency I would research first.
What is the CDC?