Teen Behavioral Health

Fall 2014
Whats inside

We all need a
little help
sometimes.

Stress & Anxiety p. 1-2

Suicide p. 2-3
Depression p. 3-4
Myths & Facts about
Behavioral Health p. 5
Substance use and
smoking p. 6
Online resources p.6

This is a newsletter for teens 1318 with info, resources, and

ideas for a healthier, happier
you

What is
Behavioral
Health?
A state of well-being in
which the individual
realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with
the normal stresses of
life, can work
productively and
fruitfully, and is able to
make a contribution to
his or her community
World Health Organization

+ Being a teen is Stress and anxiety during

stressful!
Between my parents
divorce, a breakup,
and a C in chemistry,
I didnt know which
way was up. I like to
take a deep breath,
take a walk listening
to music, and then
make a plan for
getting my life back
on track.
- M.K., 15 years old

adolescence

Stress and anxiety are some of the most

important ways to reduce stress and

common feelings we have in life. Stress

anxiety.

and anxiety can be caused by

experiences in the past or difficult life
circumstances in the present. Everyone
responds to and deals with stress
differently. Figuring out sources of stress
and anxiety in your life and strengthening
coping skills are some of the most

If you feel overwhelmed by stress and

anxiety, there is help out there! Theres no
reason to go through this alone. Talk to a
health provider or counselor about your
feelings and you can come up with a plan
together.
more on

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Teen Behavioral Health

Fall 2014

Stress
Busters

Exercise: Walk, run, swim, dance, bike, play sports

Eat healthy: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plenty of water. Dont forget
breakfast, and avoid junk food, soda, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs.
Breathe deeply: Find a comfortable place to focus on a word like breathe or
relax. Breathe in and out slowly and fully through your nose for 10 minutes
or more.
Express yourself: Write in a journal. Or create art, play music, write stories or
poetry, cook, laugh, or volunteer. Talk to someone you trust about how you
feel.
Relax your muscles: Lie down, close your eyes, take turns flexing a relaxing
muscles all over your body until you are completely relaxed.
Get in touch with your senses: Listen to music you enjoy. Take a shower or
bath. Go outside for a walk or run. Focus on what you see, hear, and feel.

Taking care of myself A plan of ACTION

Knowing ourselves and the resources

What is your game plan? Write down

3.) Who will I contact for help?

around us and having a plan in place

your answers and use your strategy

Examples: Parent, relative, friends

can help keep stress and anxiety at

everyday.

parent, clergy member, teacher,

bay, and keep us levelheaded and on

our game before stress and anxiety
can take over.

1.) What motivates me to take care of

myself? Who and what are the

coach, therapist. (Write down their

names and phone numbers.)

people, things, goals, and activities

4.) What can I do to help myself when

that are important to me?

Im feeling down, stressed, or

2.) What activities/situations get me

in trouble? How can I avoid/deal with
these activities/situations?

Suicide
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of
death for teens 15-19 years old in the
United States. While 1,600 teens take
their life each year, surveys show
that many more contemplate, make a

worried? Examples: Exercise, deep

breathing, listening to music,
drawing, writing. What will I do
today? What will I do this week?

plan for, and/or attempt suicide.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are
more common in males, Native
Americans, and LGBTQ youth. If
more of us knew how many of us are
thinking about suicide, maybe there
wouldnt be such a stigma talking
about the s word.

more on

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Teen Behavioral Health

Fall 2014
Talking about suicide does not mean that
you are crazy, and often is related to a
stressful or painful event, such as parents
getting divorced, losing a loved one, or a
relationship that has ended. Suicidal
thoughts can also be related to depression
and anxiety, which are also treatable.
Talking to a professional can help you
work through stressful situations and take

Depression (noun):

If you or someone you know is thinking

advantage of resources, support networks,

about suicide, there is help. Suicide is

and natural strengths that you have.

Symptoms that really

suck. Or in other
words

100% preventable. If you are worried

Symptoms that last

most days for > 2
weeks and cause a
major change in
functioning.

provider or a counselor before thoughts

800-442-HOPE (4673)

and feelings get out of control can be

24/7/365

Symptoms: persistent
depressed/irritable/s
ad mood and/or loss
of pleasure/interest in
usual/once enjoyed
activities and four of
the following: 1) major
weight loss/gain,
appetite change, 2)
insomnia or
hypersomnia, 3)
observable
psychomotor agitation
or retardation, 4)
fatigue or loss of
energy, 5) feelings of
worthlessness or
inappropriate guilt, 6)
decreased ability to
think, make decisions,
concentrate, 7)
recurrent
death/suicidal
thoughts or suicide
attempt.

about your safety, call a crisis hotline or

911. Otherwise, talking to a health

immensely helpful.

National Hopeline Network

800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

http://www.hopeline.com

Depression:
Its not a dirty word anymore.
At least 20% of youth experience what is
called about an episode of major
depression before turning 18. And over

Things that can keep the blues away:

the last several decades, more people are

experiencing depression at an earlier

age. The good news is, depression is

entirely treatable. Talk to trusted adults, a

health provider, friends, or call a hotline.

Monitor how youre feeling using our selftest on the next page. But whatever you
do, remember that youre not alone and
there are so many resources out there.

Staying mentally and physically

healthy
Living with healthy and supportive
people
Having close relationships with
friends and family (chosen or
biological)

Choosing to have a positive outlook

Loving yourself

(continued)
3

Teen Behavioral Health

Strong social and communication skills

Reaching out to reliable resources

A health provider will probably encourage you to

reach out to supportive family and friends for help,
help you work on communication and problemsolving skills and healthy behaviors, and decrease
use of substances (like tobacco, alcohol, and
drugs). They may also refer you to a licensed

Fall 2014

Community
Zines from
The Icarus
Project
20 words or
less about
depression

mental health counselor, psychologist, or

psychiatrist. Sometimes medications are useful
and/or necessary for the short- or long-term.
http://www.theicarusproject.net/article/community-zines
To find a provider near you:
http://healthfinder.gov/FindServices
Crisis Call Center 800-273-8255 or text ANSWER
to 839863
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
http://crisiscallcenter.org/crisisservices.html
Depression and Bipolar Support
800-273-TALK (8255)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
http://www.dbsalliance.org
Support for Teens from Teens
http://www.onyourmind.net

Self-test: How did I feel this week?

Rank how I felt this week on a scale of 1-5 for each
symptom:
1 = not a problem
3 = somewhat a problem
5 = severe problem

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

Feeling sad all day

Feeling grouchy or irritable
Feeling restless or fidgety
Hard to think or concentrate
Bigger or smaller appetite
Having no interest in favorite activities
Having low energy
Not sleeping enough or sleeping too much
Feeling guilty or worthless
Thinking about death or suicide
Talk to a health provider about your score,
especially if it was over 20 points.

Teen Behavioral Health

Fall 2014

Quiz yourself! Myths & Facts about Behavioral Health

Reference: J. Shalwitz, T. Sang, N. Combs, K. Davis, D. Bushman, B. Payne (2007). Behavioral Health: An
Adolescent Provider Toolkit. San Francisco, CA: Adolescent Health Working Group, San Francisco.

Teen Behavioral Health

Fall 2014

Substance use and smoking

I dont do drugs because I want to spend my time

getting ready for college. A.S., 16 years old

Getting involved in healthy recreational and afterschool

activities can protect against using drugs and alcohol and
smoking. Stress at home or school, or mental health
problems that arent treated can lead us to turn to drugs and
alcohol. Learn about other ways to cope, and talk to a
trusted coach or teacher about getting involved at school, or
a health provider if youre concerned about a problem with
drugs or alcohol.
www.al-anon.alateen.org Provides meetings for teens
affected by someones drinking.
http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com Truthful, entertaining,
and accurate information on recreational drugs.

Online resources
Find a therapist or support group:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Learn/Therapy
Teen Health & Wellness
http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com
Teen Mental Health
http://teenmentalhealth.org
Radical mental health support network, online community,
and alternative media project
http://www.theicarusproject.net
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
www.glsen.org
GLBT National Help Center
Its My Life
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/emotions/index.html
A space for youth and young adults (14-24) to find support
when going through tough times
http://www.mindyourmind.ca
Create a stress relief plan

http://www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Parental separation/divorce
http://teens.familieschange.ca
Medicine Abuse Through the Eyes of a Teen
http://medicineabuseproject.org/resources/out-of-reachmedicine-abuse-through-the-eyes-of-a-teen

http://www2.aap.org/stress/teen1-a.cfm