Teen Mental Health Awareness

Teens with mental health illnesses are constantly embarrassed to talk about what they go through on a daily basis. Our mission is to make both a safe place for those who don’t feel comfortable in their own skin and teach others to become understanding of that.

You are NOT alone

Statistics show that 1 in every 5 teens are affected by mental illness. These illness should not be something people should be embarrassed of. It is way more common than you think.

"Ok, but what can I do?"

Your job as a teenage leader is educating others on this matter. These illnesses should be spoken about in school and in the community at large. Even if you are not diagnosed with one of these illnesses doesn't mean you can't help. You are the ones who can create a societal change for those who struggle with this!

Educate Yourself!


Symptoms of Depression

Trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much loss of interest in things once pleasurable, overeating, or appetite loss, aches, pains, headaches, or cramps that won't go away,"empty" feelings, and suicidal thoughts or attempts


Symptoms of Anxiety

One of the most common symptom is excessive and intrusive worrying that disrupts daily functioning. Other signs include agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles and trouble sleeping.

Talking Points

1. "Be real" - “This is hard for me to talk about, so I totally understand if it’s difficult for you too.”

2. "There is no such thinig as awkard silence" - Allow for silence. Interrupting a silent moment may prevent someone from having enough time to formulate their thoughts—be patient.

3. "Safe and trusting space" - Make sure to keep things confidential, unless it is life threatening

4. "Do not MINIMIZE what they have to say" - Never say- “You shouldn’t think that way.” They DO feel this way! Work on fixing how they feel, but do not just tell them that they could change your outlook because clealy they can not.

Numbers to Reach Out For Help

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255);

Crisis Text Line Text “HELLO” to 741741

Disaster Distress Helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746

NAMI HelpLine Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI Or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741

Book and Movie Suggestions

- Serving Teens with Mental Illness in the Library: A Practical Guide

- Dunkle by Elena Vanishing

- Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

- OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu

- No Letting Go- A Film