Resources
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Shared with us from the SDCOE lead Nurse Corinne McCarthy
Week 1 (May 1 – 7): Mental Health Month 2023
“Look Around, Look Within”
Welcome to May Mental Health Month 2023!
This month, we have a special focus on getting the word out about what you can do to take action for your own mental health as well as for everyone in your school community. Read this brief article for an idea of what to expect this May as we take some time over the next few weeks to consider how our surroundings impact our mental health.
In the coming weeks you are encouraged to “look around” and “look within”. We know the world around us affects our mental state because our surroundings determine if, how, and when our needs are met. We are impacted by our housing situations, our home environments, our neighborhoods and towns, and our natural surroundings. While we can’t change everything, this month’s resources will focus on areas where we have agency to change some elements of the spaces we occupy to protect our well-being. Start by broadcasting these Feel Better Bops and bring some mental health rest, recuperation, and rejoicing into your day!
Life can be challenging, but every day shouldn’t feel hard or out of your control. If it does, one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening. Your screening results can be used to start a conversation with your primary care provider, a trusted friend, and/or a family member. You may also use your results to consider mental health support options or to create a mental wellness plan for addressing your needs.
This week, join other school communities across the nation by completing the Take Action for Mental Health Pledge. With this pledge, we commit to ourselves and others around us to make mental health a priority and do what we can to support each other. After you take the pledge, check out the SDCOE Staff Wellness Infographic or the May Mental Health Month calendar of activities and wellness recipes to try a new activity each day!
Important Dates This Week:
- May 1 -Complete the Take Action for Mental Health Pledge for yourself, your friends, and your school community.
- May 2 -Encourage Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers in your school community to attend Directing Change’s Suicide Prevention 101 for Parents in Spanish.
- May 3 -Attend SDCOE’s Creating Grief-Sensitive School Cultureswebinar for school staff offered by Dr. David Shonfeld.
- May 4 -Encourage English-speaking parents and caregivers in your school community to attend Directing Change’s Suicide Prevention 101 for Parents in English.
- May 5 -Encourage school staff who conduct suicide risk screenings to attend Directing Change’s Suicide Risk Screening in Schools training.
*See more May training opportunities!
Crisis Line:
Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis situation to get help. Keep this number on hand:
Call, text or chat to receive free and confidential support. Access a trained counselor 24/7 who will listen, understand your problems, provide support, and connect you to resources as needed.
Social Media:
Support mental health awareness and connect with one another on social media throughout the month of May by using the hashtags#LookAroundLookWithin
THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SNAPCHAT
Snapchat is ranked as the second worst social media platform for teen mental health. In this video, learn the negative effects of Snapchat for teens and tweens. Learn more here.
Teen Snapchat statistics
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People under the age of 25 use Snapchat for 40 minutes on average every day, more than Instagram's latest stat for the same demographic
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Snapchat ranks as the most popular social media site among teenagers
- Users 25 and younger visit Snapchat over 20 times per day
Teen social media statistics
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91% of 16-24 year olds use the internet for social networking
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Social media use is linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep
- Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol
Attachments: The Negative Effects of Snapchat - video, The Negative Effects of Snapchat - blog
If you have an emergency please call 911. Also, see 24-Hour, 7-Day a week numbers and websites below.
Crisis Text Line..........................